Delhi Metro Shuts 16 Stations Near Protest for Second Day, Commuters Face Chaos

For the second consecutive day, the Delhi Metro closed 16 stations in central Delhi on Thursday, disrupting the daily commute of thousands. The stations, all in the vicinity of Jantar Mantar where a protest by supporters of the CJP (Citizens for Justice and Peace) is ongoing, remained shut from 9 AM to 6 PM. Commuters were forced to find alternative travel arrangements, with many turning to buses, auto-rickshaws, and walking.

One such commuter was Nazir Khan, a 38-year-old who works at the Australian High Commission, chasing and relocating aggressive monkeys. Khan usually alights at Lok Kalyan Marg station, just 1.5 km from his workplace. But with the station closed, his train took him to Dilli Haat-INA, two stations ahead. 'I had to walk the extra distance. It took me 20 minutes more,' he said. 'These closures are making my job harder.'

The metro stations closed included Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, and others. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) stated that the closures were on the advice of police authorities, but did not specify a reason. However, sources said the move was to prevent any untoward incident during the protest, which entered its second day.

The protest, organized by the CJP, is demanding action against alleged human rights violations. The exact demands of the group were not immediately clear, but the protest has drawn a significant crowd at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in the capital. Police have maintained a heavy presence in the area, and some roads have also been closed.

For many daily commuters, the closures caused frustration. 'I had to take a bus from Patel Chowk to reach my office near India Gate,' said Priya Sharma, a software engineer. 'The bus was overcrowded, and I reached late.' Others reported similar experiences, with buses plying on alternative routes packed to capacity.

The DMRC has been running additional trains on some lines to manage the crowd, but the closed stations have led to bottlenecks at nearby stations. At stations like Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate, long queues were seen for entry and exit. Commuters were advised to use alternative routes and allow extra time for their journeys.

This is not the first time metro stations have been closed due to protests in the capital. In recent years, similar closures have occurred during farmer protests, anti-CAA demonstrations, and other agitations. While the DMRC says such decisions are taken in coordination with law enforcement, critics argue that it inconveniences law-abiding citizens.

Meanwhile, the protest at Jantar Mantar continued peacefully through the day, with participants holding placards and chanting slogans. Police said no untoward incident was reported. The closure of stations is expected to continue as long as the protest remains at the site.

For now, commuters like Nazir Khan are left to adapt. 'I hope the protest ends soon. I just want to get back to my normal routine,' he said.