In a significant move to streamline the process, the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has now assumed the final authority for naming all metro stations in the capital. This decision centralizes the approval power with the state, marking a shift from the earlier practices.
New Authority Takes the Reins
The pivotal decision was made during a recent joint meeting between the Delhi government and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). It was established that the State Naming Authority (SNA), a Delhi government body chaired by the Chief Minister, will be the sole entity to finalize station names.
An official familiar with the development stated that the meeting, chaired by CM Gupta, concluded that the SNA would handle the finalization. For future projects, while DMRC may suggest tentative names in its Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), these will only be indicative, and the SNA will have the ultimate say.
Addressing Past Debates and Future Projects
This new policy gains importance against recent debates over renaming stations. Just in November, CM Gupta announced the renaming of three stations to better reflect local identity and improve commuter convenience. These include Pitampura station on the Red Line, which will become Madhuban Chowk, and two under-construction Phase IV stations: North Pitampura–Prashant Vihar and Haiderpur Village.
Officials explained that vesting this power with the SNA aims to create a uniform, transparent, and accountable mechanism. It is expected to prevent last-minute changes and confusion among daily commuters. "There needs to be one clear authority to balance public sentiment with administrative considerations," an official remarked.
Structure and Immediate Actions
The State Naming Authority comprises senior Delhi government officials, including the Chief Secretary and the head of the urban development department. It also includes a member secretary and can invite special guests to its meetings.
As an immediate step, DMRC has been directed to submit a list of names for metro stations that are complete but not yet operational. The government's move responds to frequent requests for renaming from public representatives and resident groups, who often seek names that mirror the local area's identity more accurately.
Traditionally, Delhi Metro, a joint venture of the Centre and the Delhi government, has named stations after local landmarks. The new centralized system under the SNA is designed to bring more order and public representation into this crucial aspect of urban identity.
