The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Thursday temporarily closed 16 metro stations in and around central Delhi, citing security reasons, as crowds gathered in large numbers at the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar.
The closures were announced in the morning and will be in place until further instructions are issued, the DMRC said. The closures affect several important stations used by daily commuters, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO and Khan Market.
Despite these restrictions, interchange facilities still exist at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat, and passengers can move metro lines at these stations. But train passenger entry and exit at the affected stations have been restricted.
The 16 stations closed by the DMRC are Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium.
But the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar has become a bigger gathering. Security arrangements are in place all over central Delhi for metro operations and for security in the area around the demonstration.
People who live in the vicinity of the interchange and central Delhi stations can expect the closure of the interchange and central Delhi stations to cause inconvenience for commuters. The commuters travelling to the affected areas should prepare for a smooth journey (especially at peak times when they are travelling to the city centre at peak time), he said.
The DMRC has not specified how long the restrictions will remain in place, but the stations will remain closed until further instructions are given, and services will be reviewed at the affected locations once security arrangements are reached and authorities are informed of the situation of the protest site.
The closure of Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Mandi House is particularly significant as these stations serve as major interchange points connecting multiple metro corridors. Interchange facilities at these three stations are available but passengers cannot use them for normal entry or exit during the restrictions.
The latest development comes as central Delhi is at stake in the violent protest. Police are closely monitoring the situation around Jantar Mantar and commuters are being advised to cooperate with security officials and follow official advice.
The list of affected stations includes Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium.
The DMRC will provide further updates on the reopening of the stations once the security conditions are returned and normal passenger movement can resume.
