New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily shut down 16 key transit stations on Wednesday morning as a security measure in response to the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The widespread closures led to severe travel disruptions across central Delhi, leaving thousands of daily commuters, students, and office-goers stranded during peak morning transit hours.
The affected locations encompass major transit hubs and central lines, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO, Khan Market, Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Jor Bagh, and Shivaji Stadium. While the DMRC kept interchange facilities operational at key interchange points like Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat to allow passengers to switch lines, trains bypassed the designated closed stations without stopping. Consequently, commuters were forced to deboard at unfamiliar locations, seek alternate road routes, or rely on congested public buses, auto-rickshaws, and ride-hailing services.
The abrupt restrictions marked the second major metro network shutdown within the same week, following similar security-led station closures on Monday that triggered widespread frustration among passengers. Security personnel were heavily deployed around central metro stations and major intersections to prevent protesters from gathering near key government installations and transit exit gates. DMRC officials confirmed that the temporary station closures will remain in effect until further instructions from law enforcement authorities.
