Bengaluru: A row sparked in Karanataka after the government proposed to rename Bengaluru’s Namma Metro rail network after the 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara. Reacting to the proposal, city’s residents said the name of the rail saystem is more than just a name.

People emphasize that “Namma” is not just a part of the title but holds emotional significance for Bengalureans. They are appealing to politicians to stop politicizing names.

Some have suggested naming the entire metro rail network in Bengaluru after Basaveshwara, similar to the naming of Kempegowda International Airport, but this idea has not been well-received. Many believe that the name “Namma Metro” has become beloved by commuters over the years and changing it is unnecessary.

Many are urging the government to abandon the idea of renaming and instead focus on speeding up infrastructure projects. Instead, they want the government to prioritize expanding the metro network, adding more coaches, and opening new lines to alleviate congestion during peak hours.

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There’s a call for focusing on improving the lives of Bengalureans by expediting metro projects and addressing essential issues like road quality rather than pursuing name changes.

The 74km operational Metro network in Bengaluru recently entered its 13th year of service. People are also urging the government to ensure the timely implementation of the Bengaluru suburban rail project.

In the past, some Metro stations have been named after notable personalities, but the idea of renaming the entire network is met with resistance. Additionally, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) allows companies investing in the construction of Metro stations to include their names as prefixes, as seen with Infosys Foundation’s station in Electronics City. The BMRCL emphasizes that any name changes should only occur with the consent of the central government.

“We often receive letters from people with a request to name Metro stations after great personalities… Across the globe, Metro stations are named after the nearby locations so that people can easily identify them. As far as changing the name of Namma Metro goes, we have not received any communication so far. Any changes should happen only after the consent of the central government,” said a BMRCL official.