DMRC Tells SC All 4,157 Scheduled Metro Trips Ran on Oct 10 Despite Station Restrictions

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has informed the Supreme Court that all 4,157 scheduled Metro train trips were operated across the network on October 10, despite restrictions on entry and exit at several stations ahead of a proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In a compliance affidavit filed before the apex court, the DMRC stated that 271 trains were inducted into service and the standard Saturday schedule was maintained without any reduction in the number of train trips.

The affidavit was filed by DMRC General Manager (Legal) Group Captain Sanjay Vinayakrao Kute (Retd.) in compliance with the Supreme Court’s October 9 order directing the DMRC, railway authorities and Delhi Police (Traffic) to submit reports on the operation of public transport services in the national capital.

According to the affidavit, the Delhi Police initially directed the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 of the 303 stations across the Delhi-NCR Metro network. Following the Supreme Court’s intervention, the number of affected stations was reduced to 45 through a revised communication issued on October 9.

The DMRC clarified that the restrictions did not amount to a complete ban on public transportation.

“The notification dated 08.10.2026, which appears to have been placed before this Hon’ble Court, did not impose a complete ban on public transportation. It merely directed the closure of 57 out of the 303 stations for entry and exit purposes,” the affidavit stated.

The DMRC said restrictions were ultimately confined to 45 stations, representing around 15 per cent of the network. The remaining 258 stations, accounting for more than 85 per cent of the network, continued to remain operational and accessible to commuters.

The affidavit also stated that 14 key interchange stations among those affected, including Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, Hauz Khas, Dilli Haat-INA and Netaji Subhash Place, continued to provide uninterrupted interchange facilities.

According to the DMRC, commuters could change Metro corridors without disruption, while alternative stations remained open to minimise inconvenience. Entry and exit restrictions at all 45 stations were lifted from 10 p.m. on October 10 after the corporation received directions from the Delhi Police to reopen them.

The DMRC further informed the court that the police issued fresh communications on October 12, directing the closure of entry and exit facilities at six Metro stations between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. The closure period was subsequently extended until 5 p.m. that day.

Regarding stations such as GTB Nagar and Vishwavidyalaya, the corporation said there was no complete prohibition on passenger movement and arrangements had been made to facilitate the exit of commuters arriving by train.

The affidavit stated that exit gates at Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station remained operational. At GTB Nagar, passenger movement was regulated by personnel deployed on the ground, while Gate No. 3 was kept open to facilitate passengers leaving the station.

The DMRC detailed several measures taken to inform passengers about the restrictions, including regular updates on its official social media accounts, announcements through the Operations Control Centre and train operators, advisory signboards at station gates, and updates on its website and the DMRC Sarthi app.

Additional staff and ground marshals were deployed at major interchange stations to guide commuters, manage passenger movement and minimise inconvenience. The corporation also said the Metro network was monitored in real time in coordination with police authorities.

The affidavit disclosed that approximately 32 lakh passengers travelled on the Metro network on October 10, compared with around 58 lakh passengers on a normal second Saturday.

The DMRC attributed the lower ridership to the proposed protest, which, it said, appeared to have prompted many commuters to avoid travelling and refrain from their usual activities, including going to work or conducting business.

The corporation maintained that it would continue to comply with security assessments and directions issued by law enforcement agencies while ensuring the smooth functioning of Metro services, subject to requirements for maintaining law and order.

The affidavit comes amid contempt petitions alleging wilful disobedience of the Supreme Court’s October 9 directions concerning restrictions on Metro and railway services ahead of the proposed protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

On October 9, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that the restrictions appeared to be “overreaching” and clarified that there should be no outright prohibition on the movement of Metro trains.

The apex court directed the authorities to allow Metro and other railway services to operate in a suitably regulated manner, in accordance with the principle of proportionality. It also called for traffic advisories to prevent inconvenience to commuters.

On October 11, a Bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, while hearing a batch of contempt petitions alleging wilful disobedience of the earlier order, directed that Metro and railway services should function normally unless restrictions became necessary because of a disturbance to public order.

The Supreme Court also sought details of the affected Metro stations and directed the authorities to file compliance reports explaining their adherence to the earlier directions.

The proposed protest had prompted the Delhi Police to impose restrictions in parts of the national capital, citing concerns relating to public safety, traffic management and the maintenance of law and order.