Move to rename Central faces opposition

The State cabinet had taken a decision on September 9, 2018 urging the Centre to rename the Chennai Central station after MGR, commemorating his birth centenary. The ruling party had also adopted a resolution to this effect in a subsequent general council meeting of the AIADMK. 

The proposal, which requires the nod of the Railway Board (RB), has been opposed by the rail users’ groups in the state. Kanniyakumari District Rail User’s Association, an active network of rail users, has circulated a message among its members asking them to mail the general manager and several other officials of Southern Railway (SR) to prevent the proposed renaming. 

Condemning the proposal, the association general secretary, Edward Geni, in his message circulated to the rail users, has advised the parties to construct a terminal of their own and name it after their leaders. “If the parties so desire, let them construct a terminal at their own expense and name it as they wish,” Jeni wrote, also proposing Chennai Tambaram and Chennai Perambur to the two stations where several trains terminate and originate. 

Though the Centre was yet to consider the proposal of the State government, the decision rests with the RB as comprehensive changes were ought to be made in the railway reservation system while renaming a station. “If they merely want to rename the station and let the station code continue as MAS or MS, the software and reservation system are not required. But if they want it changed fully, as they did in the case of Mumbai CST and Mughalsarai, then the change would require a system update,” a railway officer clarified, adding that they would incorporate the changes as soon as the RB sends the order.