Napier Town, Jabalpur, is often assumed to be named after the famous British general Robert Napier, but it wasn’t. According to a 2024 report on Jabalpur’s colonial place names, the neighbourhood honours Alan Burter Napier, who was Deputy Commissioner of Jabalpur in 1912. Neighbouring Wright Town is named after Arthur Wright, who worked in a factory owned by local magnate Raja Gokul Das.
Those colonial names are now under question. In October 2024, the state government signalled plans to rename more than 10 British-era localities in Jabalpur, and Napier Town was on the list. Here’s where the neighbourhood sits, how to get around, and what’s nearby.
Napier Town at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Named after | Alan Burter Napier, Deputy Commissioner of Jabalpur (1912) |
| City | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh |
| PIN code | 482001 |
| Neighbours | Wright Town, Gorakhpur, Hathital |
| Nearest stations | Howbagh (0.8 km), Madan Mahal (1.7 km), Jabalpur Junction (about 3 km) |
| Airport | Jabalpur (Dumna), about 17 km |
| Civic body | Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (founded 1864) |
| Residents’ ratings | Connectivity 3.7/5, safety 3.8/5 |
Will the Name Change?
Here’s what’s known about the renaming plan:
- The proposal: In October 2024, the Madhya Pradesh government said it could rename British-era areas of Jabalpur, and the municipal corporation wanted to name them after well-known Indian personalities.
- Other areas on the list: Wright Town, Uprainganj (from “O’Brien Ganj,” after Major O’Brien, who took Jabalpur from the Marathas in 1817), Lord Ganj (after Lord William Bentinck) and Miloniganj (after C.A. Miloni, Jabalpur’s first Commissioner).
- Opposition: Opposition leader Amrish Mishra argued that residents would face real hardship updating addresses on important documents.
- Current status: We couldn’t confirm whether Napier Town has been officially renamed. For now, the name is in everyday use, on maps and in property listings.
Renaming isn’t new in Jabalpur. The municipal corporation passed a resolution in 2006 to rename the city itself as “Jabalipuram,” which never happened.
Getting Around Napier Town, Jabalpur
Rail: Three Stations Close By
Napier Town is very well placed for rail travel:
- Howbagh: About 0.8 km away, the nearest station.
- Madan Mahal: About 1.7 km away.
- Jabalpur Junction: About 3 to 3.3 km away via Jabalpur Hospital and Shastri Bridge Road, with most long-distance trains.
Jabalpur Junction: What’s Changing
The main station is being upgraded. Key points:
- History: It was officially inaugurated in 1870 by the Viceroy, Lord Mayo, and became the headquarters of the West Central Railway zone in 2003.
- Redesign: Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, it’s being redesigned in the style of Bhopal’s Rani Kamalapati station.
- More platforms: The number of platforms is being increased to 8, to handle extra traffic from the Jabalpur–Gondia line doubling.
- Roof plaza: A 40,000 sq ft roof plaza with waiting lounges, shops and food courts is under construction.
Air
Jabalpur Airport at Dumna is about 17 km from Napier Town via Airport Road. A taxi usually takes 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Roads and Local Transport
- From the railway station: An auto or taxi takes about 15–20 minutes.
- Buses: Local buses run frequently from the main bus terminal.
- Drawback: Residents’ reviews mention poor road conditions in parts of the area.
Nearby Areas
Wright Town
Wright Town, next door, shares Napier Town’s colonial history and is on the same renaming list. It’s a well-established residential and commercial area.
Gorakhpur and Hathital
These neighbourhoods border Napier Town and have busy main roads, banks and shops.
Madan Mahal
Madan Mahal is known for its hilltop fort, built during the Gond period. It’s one of Jabalpur’s best-known historical landmarks.
Katanga
Katanga, nearby, is a busy junction area with shops and offices.
Places to Visit Within a Few Kilometres
- Balancing Rock: A famous natural rock formation that looks like it’s about to fall but stays balanced.
- Rani Durgawati Fort and Madan Mahal: Historic sites within about 4 km.
- Dumna Nature Reserve: Near the airport, about 10 km from the city, around a reservoir built in 1883 that still supplies water to about a third of Jabalpur.
Everyday Life in Napier Town
- Schools: Billabong High, Wisdom Public and Nachiketa schools are within the locality.
- Hospitals: Anant Multispeciality, Ashish and Chirayu Children’s hospitals are within about 2 km.
- Shopping: Dixit Pride Mall, V2 Mall and Samdariya Mall are within 2 km, along with Sadar Bazar.
- Jobs: Several IT companies in and around the area provide local employment.
- Rentals: It’s a popular rental area thanks to its roads and social infrastructure.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Napier Town in Jabalpur named after?
A: Alan Burter Napier, Deputy Commissioner of Jabalpur in 1912, according to a 2024 report. It’s not named after the British general Robert Napier.
Q2. Is Napier Town being renamed?
A: The state government proposed renaming more than 10 British-era localities, including Napier Town, in October 2024. We couldn’t confirm whether the change has been made.
Q3. Which railway station is closest to Napier Town?
A: Howbagh, about 0.8 km away, is closest. Madan Mahal is 1.7 km away, and Jabalpur Junction, for most long-distance trains, is about 3 km away.
Q4. How far is Napier Town from Jabalpur Airport?
A: About 17 km via Airport Road, usually a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic.