NEW DELHI: All 17 Delhi Metro stations that had been closed during the day due to security arrangements were reopened on Wednesday evening, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said. The restrictions were imposed amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, according to PTI. “All stations of the Delhi Metro network are now open for passenger services,” the DMRC said in a post on X. Earlier in the day, the DMRC had announced the closure of Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium stations. Jhandewalan Metro station was later shut in the afternoon, taking the total number of affected stations to 17. The station closures were first enforced on Monday after thousands of protesters gathered in central Delhi following the CJP’s call for a march to Parliament over alleged examination irregularities. For many commuters, it was the second major disruption in a week after a similar shutdown on Monday, causing delays and uncertainty during peak hours. Passengers said trains continued to operate on several routes but did not halt at the closed stations, forcing them to travel beyond their destinations and seek alternate transport. According to news agency PTI, Vrinda, a commuter passing through Central Secretariat, said protesters had gathered near the station premises, creating confusion among passengers.“The Central Secretariat Metro station was taken over by protesters. Several of them had gathered near the exit and were chanting ‘Vande Mataram’. There was a lot of uncertainty and people did not know whether they would be able to leave the station,” she said. Another passenger travelling on the Yellow Line said announcements inside the train informed commuters that they would not be allowed to deboard at stations between Delhi Gate and Khan Market.“We were not allowed to get down from Delhi Gate Metro to Khan Market Metro. People are getting stranded here without any prior notice. It is utter chaos,” he said. Several commuters said they were late for work, college and other engagements as they scrambled to find alternate routes after learning that their destination stations were closed. Outside operational stations, many were seen checking navigation apps, calling family members and booking cabs, while long queues formed at bus stops and auto-rickshaw stands.“I had an important class this morning but I had to get off much before my destination and now I am trying to find another way to reach college,” said a student waiting outside an operational metro station.
