Centre approves new names for three Bengaluru Pink Line Metro stations

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs approved new names for three Bengaluru Metro stations on the Pink Line. The approved names are Bilekahalli–IIMB for IIMB station, JP Nagar 4th Phase for JP Nagar 4th Phase–NS Palya station, and SG Palya (Suddugunte Palya) for Tavarekere station.

The Karnataka government had sought the changes following requests from local residents and a committee recommendation. The ministry sent its approval to the state Urban Development Department.

Notable Points

• Cantonment station location: During Pink Line planning, BMRC shifted the proposed Cantonment Metro station from railway land beside Cantonment railway station to a BBMP playground near Bamboo Bazaar. Cited constraints included a steep gradient, a sharp curve, construction below built-up areas, land-acquisition difficulty and high property-demolition costs.
• Pink Line underground tenders: BMRC cancelled the first tenders for the Pink Line’s underground section in March 2018 after bids came in nearly 70% above its estimate. A later round led to awards to three firms in 2019, with total tunnelling tenders valued at ₹5,925.95 crore.