The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has closed 16 stations across the city, affecting major transit hubs like Rajiv Chowk and Mandi House. The shutdown, which began early Thursday, coincides with student protests regarding the NEET examination. While commuters face travel disruptions, the corporation confirmed that interchange facilities will remain available at specific locations to support passenger movement.
Detailed Coverage
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) shuttered 16 metro stations on Thursday morning, citing security requirements following the ongoing protests by student groups. The closures, which took effect at 7:30 AM, have disrupted travel patterns across the national capital, particularly affecting key corridors that serve central and office-heavy districts.
Impacted Transit Points and Interchange Access
Among the stations affected are major hubs such as Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, ITO, and Delhi Gate. Other impacted stations include Lok Kalyan Marg, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Central Secretariat, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, and Shivaji Stadium. While entry and exit points at these stations are restricted, the DMRC has kept interchange facilities open at vital transit interchanges, including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat. This allows passengers currently on the network to switch between lines, though they cannot exit the station at these specific locations.
Connection to NEET Examination Protests
The decision to restrict access to these stations follows similar security measures implemented on Wednesday. These disruptions are occurring alongside public demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with protesters calling for accountability regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process. The protests have targeted areas near central government offices and educational regulatory hubs, prompting authorities to limit public access to nearby transport infrastructure to prevent overcrowding and maintain security.
For daily commuters, the situation remains fluid. The DMRC has not provided a specific timeline for when normal operations will resume at these 16 stations. Regular travelers may experience significant delays or may need to plan alternative routes, as buses and other surface transport options in the central business districts may also face congestion due to the protests and the resulting metro station shutdowns. Investors and city residents should monitor official DMRC social media channels and updates for announcements regarding station reopenings or further service changes throughout the day.