Noida: Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh called for the renaming of Allahabad to Prayag on Monday.
Recalling the efforts of state Governor Ram Naik, Singh said that Naik was instrumental in renaming Bombay as Mumbai during his stint as MP from Maharashtra .
Speaking to ANI, Singh said, “UP Governor Ram Naik had helped Bombay to be renamed as Mumbai. I have written to him to consider renaming Allahabad as ‘Prayag’.”
The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government may rechristen Allahabad as Prayagraj and a decision in this regard could be taken before next year’s Kumbh Mela in the holy city.
The city, if the decision is taken, will be named after Prayag which is a famous holy place in Allahabad where three main rivers flowing across the state namely Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati meet. Further, the place is also known for hosting Kumbh Mela once in every 12 years.
According to some media reports, the banners for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in 2019 mention the name of the city as Prayagraj instead of Allahabad. (ANI)