Delhi Metro tells Supreme Court all 4,157 train trips ran despite station closures

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has told the Supreme Court that train services were not curtailed or cancelled on October 10, despite restrictions imposed at several stations ahead of protests called by the Opposition and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

In an affidavit filed before the court, the DMRC said it operated the full complement of 4,157 train trips scheduled for the day, with 271 trains inducted into service in accordance with the standard Saturday timetable. It maintained that there was no reduction in the overall volume of metro operations or in the number of train trips.

The reply, accessed by NDTV, said around 32 lakh commuters travelled on the network on October 10, compared with approximately 58 lakh passengers on a normal second Saturday, which is a government holiday. The DMRC attributed the lower ridership to the protests, which may have prompted commuters to avoid travelling.

DMRC says most of the network remained operational

The Delhi Metro network comprises 303 stations. According to the affidavit filed by the DMRC chairperson, only 57 stations were closed for passenger entry and exit, while around 85% of the network remained open.

The corporation said the restrictions were limited and proportionate, with alternative stations available to commuters wherever access was restricted. It also stated that interchange facilities continued uninterrupted at 14 of the 45 stations covered by the restrictions.

The affidavit said the network, apart from the 45 stations specified in the modified notification dated October 9, remained fully functional. It added that the number of affected stations was reassessed and reduced following the court's intervention.

"For the limited stations where passenger gates were regulated, other metro stations remained open to minimise inconvenience to the travelling public," the affidavit stated.

Police request prompted station closures

The DMRC had shut entry and exit gates at 45 metro stations across Delhi following a request from the Delhi Police. The police cited the possibility of "unruly mob movement towards sensitive locations" in view of the protests.

The restrictions were imposed as a preventive measure amid demonstrations called by Opposition parties and the CJP. While passenger access was restricted at the designated stations, the DMRC maintained that train operations continued according to the regular Saturday schedule.

Apart from the Delhi Metro, the Namo Bharat stations at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar were also closed until 10 pm on October 10.