In a ceremony held on Monday, the Nanganallur Metro Station was officially renamed as OTA-Nanganallur Road Metro Station, in a move intended to honor the pivotal contributions of the Indian Army and pay tribute to the nation’s soldiers. This station, integral to the 45-kilometer Phase I Metro project, is part of the Blue Line and is strategically located near the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
The decision to rename the station came during the 26th High Power Committee meeting, prompted by a request from military authorities who felt it necessary to acknowledge the Indian Army’s significant role in the community. Rajesh Chaturvedi, the Director of Systems and Operations at Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), took the opportunity to encourage military personnel, both cadets and officers, to embrace and utilize the public transport system.
Lieutenant General K.S. Brar, the General Officer Commanding of the Dakshin Bharat Area, expressed his support for the renaming initiative. He shared that a meeting three months prior with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had emphasized the importance of facilitating a connection between the public and the Indian Army and the OTA through such symbolic gestures. Brar remarked on the collaborative nature of the effort, noting that it involved various stakeholders coming together to realize the renaming of the station.
The renaming of OTA-Nanganallur Road Metro Station stands not only as a tribute to military service but also aims to reinforce community ties, enhancing public recognition of the military’s role in society.
