Delhi protest: Police ask DMRC to consider restrictions at 57 metro stations

The Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from Friday night, October 9, ahead of proposed protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations in the New Delhi district on Saturday.

In a letter dated October 8, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Transport Range, also suggested reducing train frequency at the identified stations, citing the possibility of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations.

The proposed restrictions are scheduled to begin at 9 pm on October 9 and may continue through October 10, until the situation in the national capital returns to normal.

The letter, addressed to DMRC managing director Vikas Kumar, requested the corporation to issue necessary directions to its officers and staff to implement the proposed measures.

The 57 stations identified by the police include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Mandi House, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, INA, Hauz Khas, Lajpat Nagar, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh, Jama Masjid, Vishwavidyalaya, Seelampur, Shahdara and Rohini West.

Other stations on the list include Lok Kalyan Marg, Jor Bagh, Jangpura, Ashram, Jamia Millia Islamia, Okhla Vihar, Civil Lines, GTB Nagar, Adarsh Nagar, Jahangir Puri, Welcome, Yamuna Vihar and Rithala. INA station, which serves two metro lines, has also been included.

The proposed measures cover stations across central, south, north, east and northeast Delhi, potentially affecting commuters travelling through several parts of the capital.

The restrictions come ahead of planned demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and other locations in the city on Saturday. Police have also stepped up security arrangements in view of the proposed protests.