Delhi Metro Closes 17 Stations Amid CJP Protests at Jantar Mantar

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Thursday announced that 17 metro stations across the national capital will remain closed for entry and exit from 7.30am on Friday until further instructions, citing "security reasons". The latest advisory marks the third consecutive day of metro disruptions in central Delhi amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar. In a post on X, the DMRC said interchange facilities would continue to remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat despite the closures. The stations that will remain closed are:

Lok Kalyan Marg Rajiv Chowk Patel Chowk Ramakrishna Ashram Marg Barakhambha Road Supreme Court Seva Teerth Janpath Mandi House Central Secretariat ITO Delhi Gate Indraprastha Khan Market Jor Bagh Shivaji Stadium Jhandewalan

The decision comes a day after the DMRC shut 17 stations across central Delhi on Thursday, and follows the closure of 16 stations on Wednesday, when hundreds of office-goers, students and other commuters were stranded during the morning rush hour. Entry gates for Mandi House, Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat metro stations were later opened on Thursday night. On Wednesday, passengers were forced to alter routes, exit at unfamiliar stations and rely on buses, auto-rickshaws and cabs after trains skipped several stations. Videos from Mandi House Metro station showed frustrated commuters questioning officials after they were held inside the station for more than 30 minutes. "Who will be responsible if we lose our jobs?" one commuter asked, while others demanded clarity on when they would be allowed to leave the station. The repeated closures have come amid heightened security across central Delhi following the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march, which witnessed clashes between protesters and police near Parliament. Since then, authorities have maintained heavy deployment around Jantar Mantar, Parliament and adjoining areas, with prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remaining in force across the New Delhi district. The CJP has continued its sit-in at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and broader reforms in the examination system. DMRC has advised commuters to plan their journeys accordingly, adding that normal operations at the affected stations will resume only after further instructions.