Delhi Metro stations closures will begin at 9 p.m. on October 9, with entry and exit at 57 stations suspended through October 10 ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar, while interchange facilities will remain available at most affected stations.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said the restrictions followed a request from the Delhi Police for security measures in view of proposed demonstrations by the Cockroach Janata Party and student organisations, including the All India Students’ Association. New Delhi Metro station will be the exception where interchange facilities will not be available, according to the DMRC communication cited by The Hindu.
The restrictions are scheduled to continue until further notice on October 10, or until the security situation returns to normal. Train services and interchange arrangements may therefore operate differently from normal passenger access, with commuters unable to enter or exit through the identified stations during the restriction period.
According to an official communication issued on October 8, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Transport Range, asked the DMRC to take appropriate measures at identified stations because large crowds could move towards sensitive locations in the New Delhi district. The police communication sought precautionary arrangements and directions to DMRC officers and staff to implement the measures.
The proposed protest is linked to opposition to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Organisers have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in the revision exercise and changes to the process for appointing Election Commissioners. The Election Commission has maintained that the exercise is intended to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police have denied permission for the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, citing alleged non-compliance with conditions agreed upon during an earlier demonstration. Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Nupur Prasad said permission was sought at short notice, while rules require organisers to apply at least 10 days in advance. The organisers had submitted an intimation letter on October 7 seeking arrangements for law and order and traffic management.
Security preparations have been expanded across the capital. Official communications issued on October 5 and 6 said that 70 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force, comprising about 7,000 personnel deployed in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, were being mobilised for law-and-order duties in Delhi. The police have also held meetings with student paying guest accommodation owners, market associations and Resident Welfare Associations, and launched an outreach campaign discouraging participation in the proposed agitation between October 7 and October 10.
The DMRC’s restriction will remain in force until further notice on October 10. Commuters using the affected corridors will need to account for the closure of station access points, while passengers requiring interchange facilities will be able to use them at the identified stations except New Delhi.
