Bengaluru: The long-standing demand of Bilekahalli residents to rename IIMB Metro station on Pink Line has yielded results with chief minister DK Shivakumar writing to BMRCL managing director seeking a change in the station’s name from IIMB Metro station to Bilekahalli-IIMB.CM, in his communication, said Bilekahalli has historical significance and is a locality on Bannerghatta Road widely used and recognised by residents. The station is located close to IIMB campus, and BMRCL has already installed the nameplate identifying it as IIMB Metro station.Bilekahalli resident and Bengaluru South District Congress Committee general secretary Anthony Kumar B said, “We have been urging the authorities to change the name as the station is located in Bilekahalli, which is the local name. We submitted a requisition to the CM and he has directed BMRCL to change the name to identify the station with the local area.”IIMB Metro station is one of six stations on the elevated section of Pink Line that is expected to open for commercial operations by Oct. Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) is scheduled to conduct a statutory safety inspection of the 7-km elevated stretch from Oct 6 to 8. The line will be opened for public use after safety clearance.On demands to rename Metro stations, a senior BMRCL official said, “There are multiple requisitions for changing the names of Metro stations on this line. A committee headed by greater Bengaluru development minister will decide on the proposed changes. Subsequently, the proposal will be sent to Centre for approval. As both the state and central govts are partners in BMRCL and the DPR is approved by both govts, consent from both is required for changing station names.”Earlier, forest minister and BTM Layout MLA Ramalinga Reddy had asked BMRCL to rename three stations on Pink Line. He proposed renaming JP Nagar 4th Phase station as NS Palya, Tavarekere as SG Palya and Dairy Circle underground station as Lakkasandra. Meanwhile, residents have also urged BMRCL to rename Tavarekere station as Bismillah Nagar station.Namma Metro to run past midnight todayMetro services will operate beyond regular hours Saturday to meet anticipated passenger demand and facilitate late-night travel, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) said.On Purple Line, the last train will leave Whitefield (Kadugodi) at midnight and Challaghatta at 12.20am. On Green Line, the last service will depart Madavara at 12.15am and Silk Institute at 12.20am.On Yellow Line, the final train will leave RV Road at 1.15am, while the last service from Delta Electronics Bommasandra will depart at 11.55pm.The last connecting train from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station, Majestic, will leave at 12.55am, BMRCL said in a press note.“Commuters are requested to use QR tickets, smart cards or National Common Mobility Card to avoid congestion at ticket counters,” the note said.
