New Delhi: The number of closed metro stations rose to 18 Friday morning after New Delhi metro station was added to the list of 17 that were shut the previous two days.Around 5.30 pm, however, the gates to Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations were opened.On Monday, six stations were shut during the Parliament march that CJP and its supporters attempted. On Wednesday and Thursday, 17 stations were shuttered. DMRC wrote on X on Thursday night that these stations would remain closed Friday from 7.30 am till further instructions. The 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.Some of these stations were shut Monday morning too.On Wednesday, some stations were opened later. But these were again shut Thursday.After some people took to social media asking protesters to use New Delhi metro station to join the agitation at Jantar Mantar, DMRC at 1.30 pm announced that this station too has been closed till further notice.At Janpath station, security personnel covered the glass panels at the entry and exit gates with newspapers to block visibility of the premises. Sources said it was done due to security concerns.Though interchange facilities are available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat, no such option was provided at New Delhi metro station which connects the Yellow Line with the Airport Express Line.The suspension of metro services has disrupted commuters’ daily routines, particularly during peak hours.Riya Sinha, a commuter, said she was checking social media every few hours for updates on metro stations in central Delhi. “I now take alternative routes to reach my office and that has significantly increased my commuting expenses,” she said.Another commuter, Sidharth Sharma, whose office is on Barakhamba Road, said, “All the metro stations near my office are closed. I now leave home at least 30 minutes earlier to ensure I reach work on time.”
