Question : RENAMING OF RAILWAY STATIONS



(a) the present rules and regulations regarding changing the names of the Railway Stations in the country; and

(b) the details of railway stations in the country that have been renamed on the names of prominent national leaders?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( I.D. SWAMI )

(a): The existing policy guidelines contain various broad principles which are required to be kept in view by the State Governments while examining the question of change in the name of villages, towns, railway stations, etc. The guidelines, inter alia mention that unless there is some very special reason, it is not desirable to change a name which people have got used to; and that a change should not be made on grounds of local patriotism or for showing respect to national leaders, or, for linguistic reasons, or, for satisfying local sentiments.

(b): The Government of India, in the year 1997 had conveyed its `no objection` to the renaming of Bhowanipore station of the Metro Railway Calcutta, as Netaji Bhavan Station.