In a recent turn of events, the Pune Metro has become embroiled in a naming dispute as Shiv Sena UBT members, led by Pune city chief Sanjay More, demanded the renaming of the under-construction Budhwar Peth station to Kasba Peth. The controversy sheds light on the importance of aligning station names with their actual locations and raises questions about the decision-making process.
Naming Misalignment Concerns
The core of the issue lies in the perceived discrepancy between the proposed name of the Budhwar Peth station and its actual geographical location in the Kasba Peth area. Sanjay More expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of action by the state government and Pune Metro officials despite previous requests for a name change. He criticized the decision-making process, citing a deficiency in conducting a proper study of the area before assigning names to stations.
Historical Naming Considerations
This incident is not the first time Pune Metro has faced requests for name changes. Earlier, commuter organizations urged the renaming of Bhosari station to Nashik Phata, the final stop on the metro route, after the inauguration of its first phase in March 2022. Despite positive responses from officials, the station’s name remains unchanged.
Sanjay More emphasized the need for a thoughtful approach to naming metro stations, citing other instances of naming discrepancies such as the Ruby Hall station near the Mata Ramai Ambedkar statue and Mangalwar Peth station near the Pune regional transport office. He advocated for considering historical or relevant names for stations to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Ongoing Pune Metro Developments
The Budhwar Peth station is a crucial component of the underground route from Civil Court to Swargate, anticipated to become operational by the end of March after ongoing trial runs. The naming dispute brings attention to the significance of aligning station names with their actual locations for the convenience of commuters and the preservation of historical or cultural relevance.
