Seventeen Delhi Metro stations in central Delhi remained closed for the third consecutive day on Friday as security restrictions continued in view of the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest near Jantar Mantar.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said the stations would remain closed from 7.30 am until further instructions on account of security concerns.
List of Affected Metro Stations
The affected stations are Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium and Jhandewalan.
According to The Hindu, the closures are part of security measures linked to the ongoing protest.
Interchange Facilities Continue at Key Stations
However, interchange facilities will continue to operate at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations, the DMRC said.
This means passengers can still change lines at these three stations, even though the stations themselves are closed for entry and exit.
As reported by Deccan Herald, the closures are in place "till further order" due to security reasons.
Impact on Commuters
The prolonged closure of 17 stations has caused significant disruption for daily commuters in central Delhi. Many passengers have had to find alternative routes or use other modes of transport to reach their destinations.
According to National Herald, the metro closures have disrupted the commute for thousands of passengers who rely on these stations for travel within the city.
Our Take: Security Must Be Balanced with Public Convenience
In our view, while security concerns are understandable during protests, shutting down 17 metro stations for three days is a heavy price for commuters to pay. The DMRC has done well to keep interchange facilities running at three key stations, but the disruption remains significant.
Authorities need to find a better balance between ensuring security and keeping the city moving. For now, passengers in central Delhi will have to plan their journeys carefully and expect delays until the restrictions are lifted.
