IIT-Delhi does not want metro station near its campus to be named FIITJEE-IIT

delhi

Updated: May 27, 2018 20:24 IST

Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D) has approached the authorities to remove the mention of IIT or the coaching institute FIITJEE from the name of the Metro station near its campus, saying it could mislead students into thinking they have a tie-up. FIITJEE has become the sponsor of the soon-to-be opened Metro station opposite IIT-D. Signage installed at the station has named it FIITJEE IIT, coupling the two names. Alumni, students and the faculty have questioned the move.

IIT-D has taken up the matter with the DMRC, the human resource development (HRD) ministry and the urban development ministry. It has also filed a petition in the Delhi high court.

“The move has led to many alumni, and prospective students asking us whether we have entered into a collaboration with the coaching institute, which is not fair. We have now filed a writ petition in court and hope to get a favourable response,” said V Ramgopal Rao, director of IIT-D.

DMRC has been awarding naming rights to its stations to sponsors to earn revenue.

“Since the matter is sub-judice, we shall suitably reply in court after examining in detail the issues raised by them. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has not done anything illegal in the matter,” said Anuj Dayal, spokesperson for DMRC.

Since 2014, DMRC has been auctioning naming rights for some metro stations to private companies and public sector units as a part of ar revenue generation programme. A total of 43 stations across the National Capital Region centred on Delhi have been either renamed or been put up for auction for potential sponsors to place bids in the last four years.

Fourteen stations, including those at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International airport, IIT, Greater Kailash, Okhla NSIC, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Panchsheel Park and Sukhdev Vihar stations on the Magenta Line and Delhi Cantonment, Moti Bagh, Bhikaji Cama Place, INA, South Extension, Ashram and IP Extension stations on the Pink Line are to get renamed.

“Sanctity of institutes such as the IITs should not be compromised for the sake of getting sponsors for metro stations. There are other better ways to raise money,” said a person familiar with the development.

When contacted by HT, FIITJEE declined to comment on the issue.

The plea filed in the Delhi high court on the matter will be heard on July 10.