Delhi Metro shuts entry and exit at six stations till 4 pm amid protest alerts

Entry and exit facilities at six Delhi Metro stations will remain closed until 4 pm on Monday, October 12, amid heightened security in the national capital following a weekend of mass detentions and fresh protest calls by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Opposition parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced the restrictions, citing security arrangements. However, interchange facilities will continue to be available at all six affected stations.

“The situation will be reviewed by the security agencies and necessary updates will be shared accordingly. However, interchange facility will remain available at all the concerned metro stations,” the DMRC said in a post on X.

Six Delhi Metro stations affected

The entry and exit facilities at Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk will remain closed until 4 pm on Monday. Interchange facilities will continue to operate at all six stations.

Metro services continued to operate on Sunday. However, the DMRC had shut entry and exit facilities at 45 stations on Saturday as security agencies prepared for the planned demonstrations.

Opposition plans march to Supreme Court

Security arrangements are expected to remain heightened across Lutyens’ Delhi on Monday, following two days of restrictions and detentions linked to the planned protest at Jantar Mantar by the Abhijeet Dipke-led CJP.

Opposition parties have also called for a march from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court to protest against Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Police have barricaded roads leading to Jantar Mantar and deployed personnel at key intersections to prevent protesters from gathering at the designated protest site.

The demonstrations follow a weekend of extensive security measures in the capital, with authorities seeking to prevent further gatherings amid mounting political tensions over the Election Commission and the electoral roll revision exercise.

Delhi Traffic Police warns of disruptions

The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory late on Sunday, warning of possible traffic congestion and restrictions across New Delhi and central Delhi on Monday. Diversions and traffic curbs are scheduled to come into effect from 6 am, depending on the situation on the ground.

Among the 30 identified traffic points likely to be affected are Dhaula Kuan flyover, Mandi House, Jhandewalan, Panchkuian, Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Lodhi Road flyover, Bhikaji Cama Place, Moti Bagh flyover, Ashoka Road, Jantar Mantar Road, Sansad Marg and Tolstoy Marg.

Commuters have been advised to account for possible delays while travelling through central Delhi as security agencies continue to monitor the situation and review restrictions.