Bengaluru
In a recent development, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has courted controversy by naming the upcoming Hebbagodi metro station after Biocon, following the company’s donation of Rs 65 crores for its construction. Anjum Parvez, the Managing Director of BMRCL, clarified that this practice aligns with the agreement in which companies contributing substantial amounts to the metro project are granted the privilege of naming the associated stations. The Hebbagodi metro station is part of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model, and donations from corporations such as Biocon, Infosys, and Embassy are viewed as essential in mitigating the financial burden on the government. The yellow line, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra, is expected to commence metro train operations in the next three to four months. However, the decision to name the station ‘Biocon Hebbagodi Metro Station’ has sparked strong opposition from locals. Protesters argue that attaching a private company’s name to a public infrastructure element undermines the local residents’ self-esteem and identity. Under the banner ‘Namma Hebbagodi Namma Asmite,’ residents are expressing their discontent with the unilateral decision made by BMRCL without adequate consultation with the Hebbagodi Municipal Council and the public. The naming controversy is likely to intensify as the community seeks a reconsideration of the decision.
