Today, the Delhi High Court held that it cannot order the government or the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to change the name of a metro station, as naming stations is a policy decision.

The bench headed by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the court does not interfere in such matters unless the decision is arbitrary or goes against the Constitution. The court was hearing a plea by the Residents Welfare Association of Rangpuri village, which wanted the upcoming Mahipalpur Metro Station to be renamed as Rangpuri Metro Station.

Rangpuri and Mahipalpur are neighbouring urban villages near the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Mahipalpur station is part of the Phase 4 Golden Line, which is currently under construction between Aerocity and Tughlakabad.

The petitioners argued that most of the land used for the station belongs to Rangpuri and said authorities did not properly respond to their request.

While refusing to direct a name change, the High Court asked the DMRC and other concerned authorities to consider the residents’ request within six weeks and seek inputs from other departments if required.