Surat: The last general meeting of the current elected body of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) witnessed high drama on Tuesday, with heated arguments and chaotic scenes between ruling party and opposition corporators. Amid the uproar, the general meeting also passed a resolution to rename the Surat Municipal Corporation headquarters and the surrounding area.

As per the proposal approved unanimously, the municipal headquarters, earlier known as the Mughalsarai Building, will now be called ‘Tapi Bhavan’, while the surrounding locality, earlier known as Muglisara / Mughalsarai, has been renamed ‘Shri Tapipura’.

The proposal was presented by Mayor Dakshesh Mavani and received support from both ruling and opposition corporators, who welcomed the decision by thumping desks and raising slogans in support of Sanatan Dharma.

Decision linked to cultural heritage and Tapi river

According to the proposal, the renaming has been done to highlight the cultural heritage of Surat and the historical importance of the Tapi River. The decision also fulfils a long-pending demand raised nearly seven years ago, when BJP corporator Vijay Chomal had first suggested changing the name.

As per the resolution, the area in the Central Zone of the city, popularly known for decades as Muglisara, will now officially be called Shri Tapipura, taking reference from the sacred Tapi River and the mythological text Tapi Mahapuran. The Tapi River holds religious significance and has been closely associated with the history and identity of Surat.

The building was originally used as a sarai (inn) during the Mughal period and later became the headquarters of the Surat Municipal Corporation. DeshGujarat