Tiwana has emphasized that the project is specifically designed to familiarize the public with individuals who have significantly shaped Mumbai’s cultural and social fabric but currently remain shrouded in obscurity. While iconic figures like Babasaheb Ambedkar and Shivaji Maharaj are widely recognized, the corporator pointed out that numerous other notable individuals have faded from the collective memory of the residents. He cited the specific case of Kavi V R Kant; despite a road in Tiwana's own constituency bearing the poet's name, very few people are aware of his literary or social contributions. The initiative aims to thrust these overlooked figures back into the spotlight, ensuring their roles in the city's evolution are duly recognized.
Under the proposed plan, the BMC would revolutionize road signage by equipping all nameplates across Mumbai with QR codes. Currently, the city’s roads, junctions, and public spaces are identified by standard blue signboards. The integration of QR codes would allow anyone with a smartphone to scan the signage and be immediately directed to an AI-powered digital dashboard. This platform will host curated content featuring short videos, animations, and concise narratives. Beyond biographical sketches of scholars, freedom fighters, poets, and social reformers, the dashboard will offer insights into the historical significance of specific neighborhoods, providing an immersive understanding of Mumbai’s growth.
This digital repository will draw from the massive scale of the city's nomenclature; civic records indicate that nearly 19,000 roads in Mumbai are named after distinct personalities. The project also intends to highlight the functional origins of various localities. For example, officials from the BMC’s road department noted that Cotton Green was named for its historical association with the cotton mills that once fueled the economy, while Bread Lane in Crawford Market earned its title from the bakeries that supplied ships at the Bombay Harbour. For visitors at landmarks like Haji Ali, the QR codes would offer instant context regarding the area’s cultural importance and the origins of its name.
This initiative follows a previous attempt in 2021, when a similar collaboration between the BMC and a non-governmental organization failed to materialize. Officials now acknowledge that successful implementation will require rigorous collaboration with city historians and experts to accurately document and digitize the extensive historical narrative into a unified platform. Governed by the Municipal Corporation Act, which dictates that roads be named after those who made meaningful societal contributions, this project stands to turn ordinary street signage into gateways of knowledge. By bridging heritage with digital accessibility, the BMC aims to preserve the essential stories that define Mumbai’s identity for future generations.
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