Kolkata Metro Station Names Under Review, Locality-Based Renaming Proposed

Several Kolkata Metro station names could be reviewed as part of a broader exercise by the West Bengal government’s committee examining proposals to rename roads, bridges and other public places.

The discussion around Metro stations centres on whether stations should be identified by the localities they serve rather than by the names of prominent personalities.

Among the stations being discussed are Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Netaji Bhavan, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, Jyotirindra Nandy and Swapno Bhor.

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar may return to Tollygunge

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro Station, located in Tollygunge, is among the prominent names being considered.

The station was originally known as Tollygunge before being renamed after legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar. The proposal under discussion suggests reverting to Tollygunge, the locality with which the station is geographically associated.

Tollygunge is also closely linked with the Bengali film industry and is home to several film studios.

Netaji Bhavan may return to Bhowanipore

Netaji Bhavan Metro Station is another station being considered for a possible name change.

The station was originally known as Bhawanipore before being renamed Netaji Bhavan because of its association with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the nearby Netaji Bhavan on Elgin Road.

The proposal suggests using Bhowanipore, the name of the locality, instead.

The argument presented by members of the panel is that using the locality name could make it easier for commuters to identify the station, particularly when the station is not immediately adjacent to the landmark after which it is named.

Other Metro stations under discussion

The proposed review is not limited to the Blue Line.

On the Orange Line, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro Station, located near Ruby Crossing, has also been mentioned in the discussions. A locality or landmark-based name such as Ruby or Passport Kendra has been proposed.

Jyotirindra Nandy, near Mukundapur Crossing, and Swapno Bhor in New Town are also among the names reportedly being discussed.

Beleghata Metro Station has also come up in the discussion because the station is located around the Metropolitan area on the EM Bypass, rather than in the main Beleghata locality.

No names have been officially changed yet

It is important to note that these are proposals being considered by members of the renaming committee and are not approved changes to Kolkata Metro station names.

The committee is expected to formally begin its work after Durga Puja, with road renaming proposals reportedly expected to be taken up first.

The discussion has also raised a larger question about how public transport infrastructure should be named.

Should Metro stations primarily carry the names of the localities they serve, making them easier to identify geographically? Or should names commemorating prominent personalities from Bengal’s history, literature, cinema and public life continue to be retained?

For Kolkata, where many Metro station names have become closely associated with the city’s cultural identity, the discussion could be significant if the proposals move forward.

What do you think? Should Kolkata Metro stations be named after the localities they serve, or should names honouring prominent personalities be retained?

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