In an effort to deepen public awareness of Mumbai’s rich and layered past, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering a proposal to introduce digital museums across key public spaces and heritage
precincts in the city. The initiative aims to blend technology with storytelling, offering citizens easy access to information about the history and personalities associated with different locations.
According to a report in Indian Express, the idea has been put forward by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Tejinder Singh Tiwana and is scheduled to be taken up for discussion during the upcoming civic house proceedings later this month.
Tiwana has emphasised that the project is intended to familiarise people with individuals who have significantly contributed to shaping Mumbai’s cultural and social landscape, but remain relatively unknown to the general public.
While many residents are aware of iconic figures such as Babasaheb Ambedkar and Shivaji Maharaj, after whom several prominent roads are named, Tiwana pointed out that numerous other notable individuals have faded from public memory.
He cited the example of Kavi V R Kant, noting that although a road in his constituency bears the poet’s name, very few people are aware of his contributions. The initiative seeks to bring such overlooked figures into the spotlight and recognise their role in the city’s history.
QR Codes To Transform Road Signage
According to the proposal, all road nameplates across Mumbai will be equipped with QR codes. Currently, roads, junctions and public spaces are marked with blue signboards displaying their names. The plan is to integrate QR codes into these existing boards, enabling citizens to scan them using their smartphones.
Once scanned, the codes will direct users to an AI-powered digital dashboard featuring curated content about the personality after whom the location is named, along with insights into the area’s historical significance.
Interactive Content Through AI Dashboards
According to the IE report, the proposed digital platform will present information in an engaging format, including short videos, animations and concise narratives. In addition to biographical details, users will also be able to explore the local history of specific neighbourhoods, offering a more immersive understanding of Mumbai’s evolution.
Under the Municipal Corporation Act, roads and public spaces in Mumbai are typically named after individuals who have made meaningful contributions to society, including scholars, freedom fighters, poets and social reformers.
Civic records indicate that nearly 19,000 roads in the city are named after distinct personalities, making Mumbai a vast repository of historical references embedded in everyday geography.
Officials from the BMC’s road department highlighted how several localities derive their names from historical or functional significance. For instance, areas like Cotton Green were named due to their association with cotton mills that once contributed significantly to the city’s economy.
Similarly, Bread Lane in Crawford Market earned its name because of the concentration of bakeries that supplied bread to ships docking at the Bombay Harbour.
The proposal also envisions practical use for visitors and tourists. For example, someone visiting Haji Ali could scan a QR code on a nearby road sign to instantly access information about the area’s history, cultural importance and origins of its name.
Previous Attempt And Future Challenges
This is not the first time such an idea has been explored. The BMC had proposed a similar initiative in 2021 in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, but the plan did not materialise.
Officials now acknowledge that for the project to succeed, collaboration with city historians and experts will be crucial to accurately document and digitise Mumbai’s extensive historical narrative into a unified platform.
Towards A Digitally Connected Urban History
If implemented, the initiative could transform ordinary street signage into gateways of knowledge, allowing residents and visitors alike to engage more deeply with Mumbai’s past.
By combining heritage with digital accessibility, the BMC hopes to preserve and promote the stories that have shaped the city’s identity over time.
