DMRC closes 11 stations ‘till further notice’ amid Jantar Manatar protest | List of Delhi metro stations closed today

DMRC closes 11 stations ‘till further notice’ amid Jantar Manatar protest | List of Delhi metro stations closed today The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Friday that entry and exit points at eleven stations would remain shut “till further notice” after a coordinated protest by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and several student unions. The action, described by officials as a safety precaution, came after demonstrators began gathering at key junctions early in the morning, demanding the release of detained activists and the implementation of the Jantar Manatar campaign’s demands. Commuters were urged to seek alternative routes, and the corporation promised regular updates through its official channels and social‑media feeds..

Among the stations affected, Rajiv Chowk – the network’s busiest interchange – will see its concourse doors locked, although trains will continue to pass through without stopping. Central ariat, another high‑traffic node linking the Blue and Yellow lines, will also remain inaccessible to the public. The closure list extends to Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, Indraprastha, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Moolchand, Ashram, Jangpura, and Karkarduma Court, each of which serves a distinct residential or commercial catchment area in Delhi’s central and eastern districts..

DMRC officials clarified that while passenger movement is barred at the listed stations, interchange facilities at select hubs such as Rajiv Chowk, Central ariat and Patel Chowk will remain operational for those needing to transfer between lines. Trains will still run on the affected routes, stopping only at adjacent stations, and announcements will be made on board to inform riders of the temporary restrictions. The corporation has deployed additional staff to manage crowd control and to direct commuters toward the nearest open entry points..

The protest, part of the broader Jantar Manatar movement, was organised jointly by AAP’s youth wing and a coalition of university student unions. Their grievances centre on alleged political victimisation, demands for greater transparency in government appointments, and calls for a “clean‑up” of bureaucratic red‑tape that they claim hampers student welfare schemes. Organisers said the blockade of metro stations was a non‑violent method to highlight their cause and to compel the state government to engage in dialogue..

Police forces arrived at the protest sites shortly after the first commuters reported the closures. While they reported no incidents of violence, officers warned that any attempt to force entry could result in arrests under the Delhi Police Act. Several protestors were detained for “obstructing public services”, a charge that has drawn criticism from human‑rights groups who argue that the right to peaceful assembly should not be curtailed by transport shutdowns..

Commuters expressed a mix of frustration and understanding. “I had to miss an important meeting, but I know why they are doing this,” said Priya Sharma, a software engineer who works in the Connaught Place area. Meanwhile, daily wage earners relying on the metro for their livelihood voiced concern over lost income and the difficulty of finding alternative transport during peak hours..

The DMRC has pledged to reimburse fare losses for affected passengers, though the exact mechanism remains under discussion. Local businesses near the closed stations reported a sharp dip in footfall. Vendors at the Rajiv Chowk market, which usually sees thousands of customers daily, reported sales dropping by up to 70 percent within hours of the closures..

Some shop owners appealed to the protestors, urging a swift resolution, while others sympathised, noting that the demands of the Jantar Manatar movement align with broader calls for economic reforms that could benefit small traders. Transport analysts warned that prolonged shutdowns could strain Delhi’s already congested road network. With the metro’s capacity to move over three million passengers per day hampered, traffic on major arteries such as the Ring Road and Outer Ring is expected to swell, potentially increasing commute times by 20‑30 minutes..

The Delhi Traffic Police has already deployed additional traffic wardens and is urging motorists to use car‑pooling and public buses where possible. In response to the unfolding situation, Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal issued a statement urging calm and dialogue. “We respect the right to protest, but we must ensure that essential services remain uninterrupted,” he said, adding that his government would meet representatives of the AAP youth wing and student unions within 48 hours..

The statement also hinted at a possible compromise involving a temporary suspension of the station closures should both sides agree to a constructive discussion. The DMRC’s Board of Directors convened an emergency meeting later in the evening to assess the impact of the closures and to formulate a contingency plan. Minutes of the meeting, released to the press, indicated that the corporation is prepared to reopen stations incrementally, starting with those that have lower passenger volumes, once safety assurances are received from law enforcement agencies..

The board also discussed the possibility of installing temporary barriers and security checkpoints to allow limited access without compromising overall safety. Experts from the Indian Institute of Transport Management (IITM) noted that while metro closures are rare, they are not unprecedented in the city’s history. “The 2015 protests over the Delhi‑NCR railway fare hike saw a similar partial shutdown, which lasted three days before a negotiated settlement was reached,” said Dr..

Anil Kumar, a senior fellow at IITM. He added that the current scenario underscores the need for a robust crisis‑management framework that balances civic dissent with the uninterrupted operation of mass‑transit systems. As the night deepened, social media platforms buzzed with updates, images of protest banners, and calls for solidarity..