Govt approves change in names of 25 towns

In Kerala, the highest number of 17 towns were renamed, followed by Punjab, where the Centre approved the change of names in four towns, besides two in Odisha.

Though the Home Ministry approved the change of names in two towns in Madhya Pradesh, it rejected the proposal of renaming capital Bhopal as Bhojpal.

Punjab`s Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar is now known as Ajitgarh while Sunam town is Sunam Udham Singh Wala. The name of Nawanshahar has been changed to Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar and Muktsar town is now known as Sri Muktsar Sahib.

Phulbani in Odisha is now called Baudh Kaudhamal while the name of Sonapur has been changed to Subarnapur.

The rechristened towns in Kerala are Thrissur (from Trichur), Kollam (Quilon), Alappuzha (Alleppey), Palakkad (Palghat), Kannur (Connanore), Thalassery (Tellicherry), Vadakara (Badagare), Paravur (Parur) and Aluva (Alwaye).

The other name changed towns in Kerala are Devi Kulam (from Devi Colam), Kochi (Cochin), Changanassery (Changanachery), Chirayinkeezhu (Chirayinkil), Kodungallur (Cranagnore), Mannarkad (Mannarghat), Mananthavady (Mannantoddy) and Sulthan Bathery (Sultan`s Battery).

Names of two Madhya Pradesh towns - Gotegaon and Mhow - have been changed to Sridham and Ambedkar Nagar respectively.