The proposal to rename the Chennai Central Station after AIADMK founder MGR would need the sanction of the Indian Railway Board.
A senior official of Southern Railway said normally railways does not name any station or train after an individual. Southern Railway would go by the procedure of getting the State government’s approval for naming any new railway station.
However, when it comes to renaming of old railway stations, that too an iconic station such as Chennai Central, there are no set rules, said railway officials.
Any railway station would be allotted a code and this code along with the name would be listed all over the country. However, a precedent was set when the Maharasthtra government renamed the Victoria Terminus Station as Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus and in Karnataka the Bengaluru railway station was renamed as Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) railway station.
Fans hail decision
The Tamil Nadu government’s decision on Sunday to write to the Central government asking it to name Chennai Central Station after former Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran has been welcomed by his fans and the public at large.
Welcoming the decision, Perambur resident Sridevi Elavazhagan, said that in MGR’s centenary year, it is another way to honour the leader.
“He was a great leader and has ruled the State for several years. He was the one who expanded the noon meal scheme ensuring that children attended school,” she said.
A political commentator, who did not want to be named, said the AIADMK-led government is doing this now since it wants to tap into the MGR vote bank in the villages.
“After the death of Jayalalithaa, the party structure seems to have weakened. In July, the World MGR Peravai conference had passed a resolution to the same effect. Not wanting to be left behind, the government too has taken this decision,” he said.