Mumbai's Hidden Heroines: The Women Behind the City's Road Names
Few residents of Mumbai know that Nepean Sea Road is officially called Lady Laxmibai Jagmohandas Marg, or that a major thoroughfare in Thane bears the name Smt Gladys Alvares Marg after a recent renaming. According to data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), out of Mumbai's sprawling 2,000 kilometers of roads, fewer than 150 kilometers are dedicated to honoring women. Excluding goddesses and globally famous historical figures, the number of roads named for real, impactful women drops to under 300.
This Women's Day, we trace the stories of these real trailblazers whose names grace Mumbai's streets, yet whose contributions often remain overlooked in the daily hustle of city life.
Pandita Ramabai Marg, Gamdevi
Now a highlight on many heritage walks, the street connecting Nana Chowk to Marine Drive honors Pandita Ramabai. Historian Uma Chakravarti once described her as "the most controversial Indian woman of her times." Born Rama Dongre in 1858, she was orphaned by age 16 but mastered Sanskrit, earning the prestigious titles of Pandita and Saraswati.
After being widowed young following a marriage outside her caste, she later converted to Christianity. A formidable social reformer, Ramabai founded the Arya Mahila Samaj. During a stay in the United States, she authored the influential book The High-Caste Hindu Woman in 1887. Returning to India, she established Sharada Sadan in Bombay in 1889—a pioneering shelter that provided vocational training and formal education to widows. In 1989, the former Harvey Road, which leads to the Arabian Sea, was renamed for this woman who consistently swam against the societal tide.
Smt Sakarbai Barku Patil Marg, Mulund
This small, semi-circular connector between the Tehsildar's office and the rationing office off Sarojini Naidu Road in Mulund (West) is now marked by the presence of three JCB machines. Named in 2021, it honors Sakarbai Barku Patil, affectionately known as "Jiji."
Born in 1924 into a family of freedom fighters, Sakarbai learned to read by tracing letters in sand. She became a passionate advocate for girls' education, skillfully balanced work and motherhood, and was known for her generosity in feeding the needy. A nearby public garden bears the name of her husband, creating a familial legacy of community service in the neighborhood.
Lady Jamsetjee Road, Mahim
Before 1845, crossing from Mahim to Bandra during the monsoon season was a dangerous endeavor, with ferries frequently capsizing. Records show that in 1841 alone, up to 20 boats overturned. The transformation came thanks to the philanthropy of Avabai Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, known as Lady Jamsetjee.
She donated over ₹1 lakh, plus an additional ₹40,000, to the British government for the construction of a causeway, with one non-negotiable condition: no toll would ever be charged for its use. In April 1848, the Mahim Causeway opened with ceremonial fanfare, linking Bandra to Mahim and revolutionizing local travel. The road stretching from Dadar's Sena Bhavan to the Mahim Causeway now bears her name, serving as a lasting reminder that public good can powerfully outlive self-interest.
Laxmibai Kelkar Marg, Sion
Popularly called "Mausiji," Laxmibai Kelkar was the founder of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti in 1936. After meeting Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, the physician who founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1925, she proposed creating a women's wing. Hedgewar encouraged her to form an autonomous organization that shared ideological alignment but maintained a distinct structure.
Launched in Wardha on Vijayadashami with an initial 100 members, the Samiti grew impressively to 40,000 members by the 1970s. A mother of eight, Kelkar provided dedicated leadership until her passing in 1978. Today, the bustling street in Sion named after her is also known as a vibrant venue for traditional 'Gondhal' folk performances.
Dr. Kashibai Navrange Marg, Gamdevi
Formerly known as Alexandra Road, this stretch behind August Kranti Maidan honors Dr. Kashibai Navrange, a true pioneer of women's healthcare in 20th-century Bombay. Born in 1858, she was among the city's first Indian women doctors and the first to establish a private clinical practice.
A graduate of Wilson College, she earned her Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery in 1907. She soon opened a dispensary in Bhuleshwar, offering female patients the then-elusive comfort of being treated by a woman doctor. Her legacy expanded as she founded a maternity hospital, launched a Milk Fund to support expectant and lactating mothers, taught home nursing skills to married women across caste barriers, and initiated vocational training programs for women.
Following the devastating 1934 Bihar earthquake, Dr. Navrange courageously led teams of women doctors into purdah households to provide critical aid. The road in Gamdevi, which is home to a prominent girls' school and a women's hostel, was renamed after her death in 1946, permanently etching her compassionate imprint on the city's map.
These stories reveal that behind the official signage of Mumbai's roads lie narratives of extraordinary courage, reform, and philanthropy. As the city continues to grow and rename its pathways, remembering these heroines ensures their contributions to Mumbai's social fabric are never forgotten.
