45 Delhi Metro Stations to Remain Closed Until 10 PM Today
DMRC announces 45 Delhi Metro stations will remain closed until 10 PM on Oct 10 due to security concerns and planned protests.
Commuters in the national capital face significant disruptions as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) confirmed that 45 metro stations will remain closed until 10:00 PM on Saturday, October 10. This extension follows an initial closure that began at 9:00 PM on Friday, implemented as a precautionary measure due to heightened security concerns.
Security Agencies Monitoring the Situation
The decision to keep these stations shuttered comes amidst a period of heightened vigilance. In a service update shared via X (formerly Twitter), the DMRC stated that the situation is currently being closely monitored by security agencies. The corporation noted that further updates regarding station operations and service availability will be shared as soon as the security review is completed.
“The 45 Metro stations, closed since 09:00 PM on Friday due to security reasons, will continue to remain closed till 10:00 PM tonight (10th October). Further, the situation will be reviewed by the security agencies and necessary updates shall be shared accordingly,” the DMRC official post read.
Impact on Travel and Station Access
The security measures were prompted by a proposal from the Delhi Police to manage potential unrest. The proposal suggested closing entry and exit gates at 57 specific stations and reducing train frequency in those areas to mitigate risks associated with planned protests.
While many stations are facing gate closures, the DMRC has clarified a critical detail for passengers: interchange facilities will remain available at all the affected stations, with one notable exception. New Delhi metro station will not provide interchange facilities during this period.
List of Affected Stations
The 57 stations identified for potential gate closures and reduced frequency include a wide range of key hubs across the city:
- 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
- Dilli Haat-INA, Hauz Khas, Jor Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Jangpura, Ashram
- Jamia Millia Islamia, Chawri Bazar, Jama Masjid, Karol Bagh, Rajendra Place
- Vishwavidyalaya, Kashmere Gate, Inderlok, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Netaji Subhash Place
- Azadpur, Jahangirpuri, Haiderpur Badli Mor, Majlis Park, Seelampur
- Maujpur-Babarpur, Jafrabad, Welcome, Yamuna Vihar, Khajuri Khas, Shahdara, and Rithala
Context Behind the Security Measures
The heightened security presence and the resulting metro disruptions come at a time of escalating political tension. The country is witnessing a confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission of India (ECI). The friction centers around allegations of "vote chori" and disputes regarding the revision of electoral rolls, with certain groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.