Delhi Metro closes entry at six stations as Congress march heads to Supreme Court

What happened

Delhi Metro announced that entry and exit at six central stations will be closed from 06:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs on 12 October 2026. The move is part of a coordinated security plan as opposition parties, led by the Congress, march towards the Supreme Court to protest alleged voter‑roll irregularities.

Which stations are affected

The stations listed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) are:

• Patel Chowk
• Janpath
• Rajiv Chowk
• Mandi House
• Central Secretariat
• Barakhamba Road

Interchange facilities at each location will remain operational, allowing passengers to transfer between lines without exiting the paid area.

Traffic management

The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory warning of possible disruptions on major intersections, flyovers and arterial roads across New Delhi and Central Delhi. Diversions will start at 06:00 hrs and will be adjusted as the situation evolves. Commuters are urged to plan journeys early and to follow signage at affected junctions.

Background to the protest

Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge have scheduled a march titled “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy” at 13:30 hrs, aiming to hand a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The memorandum calls for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots. The Supreme Court has not scheduled a meeting, citing the matters as sub‑judice.

Official statements

DMRC posted on X: “Due to security reasons, the entry and exit at the following metro stations will remain closed from 06:00 AM till 04:00 PM on 12th October 2026. Interchange facility will remain available at all the concerned metro stations.”

The Delhi Traffic Police advisory reads: “In view of the law and order situation, traffic may be impacted on the following stretches in Delhi on 12.10.2026. Diversions will be enforced starting from 06:00 AM depending upon the prevailing situation.”

What commuters can expect

While the six stations are inaccessible for entry and exit, the wider metro network continues to run on schedule, preserving the city’s public‑transport capacity. Alternate routes, including nearby stations and bus services, have been highlighted in real‑time updates on the DMRC app and city traffic dashboards. Authorities have pledged to review the restrictions throughout the day and to lift them if security conditions allow.