Delhi Metro has closed entry and exit at 45 stations across the network from 9 pm on Friday, October 9, until 6 pm on Saturday, October 10, citing security reasons ahead of a planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The closure affects several major interchange, commercial, government and residential areas, although interchange services will remain available at all affected stations except New Delhi.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced the revised arrangement through a social media update. The restriction was initially announced for 57 stations, but DMRC later reduced the number by 12 in a revised order issued on Friday night.
According to the DMRC update, entry and exit will remain closed at Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Jhandewalan, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, Shivaji Stadium, Delhi Haat-INA, Hauz Khas, Jor Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Jangpura, Ashram and Jamia Millia Islamia.
The list also includes Chawri Bazar, Jama Masjid, Karol Bagh, Rajendra Place, Vishwavidyalaya, Kashmere Gate, Inderlok, Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Netaji Subhash Place, Azadpur, Jahangirpuri, Haiderpur Badli Mor, Majlis Park, Seelampur, Maujpur-Babarpur, Jafrabad, Welcome, Yamuna Vihar, Khajuri Khas, Shahdara and Rithala.
The planned gathering at Jantar Mantar is connected to a demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, according to the report. The protest is scheduled for Saturday, October 10. The security-related restrictions therefore cover stations not only around central Delhi but also locations across multiple metro corridors, including parts of south, north, northeast, east and west Delhi.
The operational arrangement means that passengers may be able to pass through some affected stations for interchange, but will not be able to enter or exit at those stations during the restriction period. New Delhi is the stated exception, where interchange services will not be available under the DMRC notice. This distinction is significant for passengers using the network to change lines while travelling through central Delhi and other connected corridors.
DMRC said security agencies would review the situation on Saturday evening and issue further information according to the assessment. The current restriction is scheduled to end at 6 pm on October 10, subject to any subsequent update from the metro corporation or security authorities.
