Central Delhi Protest Causes Closure Of Five Metro Stations And Internet Shutdown
A protest march towards Parliament on Monday morning caused widespread chaos in Central Delhi, leading to the temporary closure of five major metro stations, heavy barricading, and a precautionary mobile internet shutdown. The disruptions, which began ahead of a scheduled march from Jantar Mantar, left thousands of protesters confused and stranded commuters across the heart of the capital.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced the closure of the stations at 8:59 AM on Monday following security instructions from the Delhi Police. The affected stations included Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Seva Teerth. This sudden suspension of services severely impacted commuters during the peak morning transit hours.
According to the DMRC, interchange facilities at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat were also suspended, cutting off vital transit routes through the city. These security measures quickly led to chaotic scenes as thousands of office-goers and travelers found themselves trapped inside the stations.
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters and commuters stuck behind the locked exit gates at Rajiv Chowk Metro station. Many individuals resorted to climbing over the locked gates despite Delhi Metro security personnel attempting to stop them. Those who managed to scale the barriers were seen running towards the main exits of the station, amid reports of sloganeering.
Similar chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Janpath Metro station, where commuters faced similar lockouts. Adding to the disruption, government authorities suspended mobile internet services in parts of Central Delhi as a precautionary measure. The digital shutdown, combined with the massive crowds, left many people completely unable to communicate, causing severe disruption for travelers trying to coordinate their routes.
The situation began to normalize towards midday. The DMRC started reopening the closed stations, with Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat being the first to restore their interchange facilities. By around noon, the gates of the affected metro stations were fully reopened to the public.
