Delhi Metro curbs scaled back; entry and exit to remain closed at 45 stations amid protest

Under the revised advisory, entry and exit gates at the identified stations will remain closed from 9 p.m. on Friday until 6 p.m. on Saturday. The DMRC said security agencies would review the situation and issue further updates as required.

The revised arrangement follows the Supreme Court’s directions on Friday that Metro and other railway services should not be completely stopped ahead of the demonstration. The court asked the Centre to ensure that public transport continued to operate in a suitably regulated manner to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The affected stations include 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.

The DMRC clarified that interchange facilities would remain available at all affected stations except New Delhi Metro station, even though entry and exit would be restricted.

The restrictions have been imposed ahead of the proposed Opposition demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged electoral irregularities. Opposition parties have also demanded Kumar’s resignation.

The revised plan partially modifies the earlier announcement of restrictions at 57 stations. Security agencies will continue to assess the situation and determine whether further changes are necessary.