The Tamil Nadu government has announced the renaming of Velachery-Tambaram Road in Chennai after Major Mukund Varadarajan, who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, for his bravery during a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.
Major Varadarajan, an officer of the Indian Army's Rajput Regiment, was killed in action on April 25, 2014, during an operation in Shopian district. He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his exceptional courage and leadership in neutralizing terrorists while ensuring the safety of his team.
The decision to rename the road was confirmed by the Greater Chennai Corporation in June 2026, following a proposal by local residents and veterans' groups. The move aims to honor the martyr's sacrifice and inspire future generations.
