Delhi Metro services continued during October 10 protest:Entry and exit restricted at 45 of 303 stations, DMRC tells SC

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday, October 14, told the Supreme Court that metro services in Delhi were neither curtailed nor cancelled during the protests on October 10. However, entry and exit were restricted at 45 of the network’s 303 stations. In a compliance affidavit filed before the court, DMRC said the remaining 258 stations, more than 85% of the network, continued to operate normally. Around 32 lakh passengers travelled by metro on October 10, compared with approximately 58 lakh on a typical second Saturday, the corporation said. Entry and exit restricted at 45 stations DMRC said the decision to restrict entry and exit at 45 stations was taken based on assessments by agencies responsible for maintaining law and order. The corporation said it acted in accordance with directions issued by the concerned authorities. The restrictions affected around 15% of the metro network, while the remaining stations continued to operate. In its affidavit, DMRC stated that passenger numbers stood at around 32 lakh on October 10, against approximately 58 lakh on a normal second Saturday. Compliance report filed after SC order The affidavit was filed in compliance with the Supreme Court’s October 9 order. The court had heard a petition challenging restrictions at several metro stations and the alleged cancellation of train services ahead of the October 10 demonstration in Delhi. The Supreme Court had directed the Centre to ensure that the movement of metro services and trains arriving in Delhi was not “completely halted”. A bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant had also directed DMRC and the other parties involved in the case to submit compliance affidavits. Protest called against Election Commission The October 10 demonstration was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and some student organisations to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The groups had alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission. The protest prompted security and movement-related measures at several metro stations, according to the submissions before the court.