Delhi protests: Metro was ‘fully operational’, 32 lakh trains running on Oct 10: DMRC tells Supreme Court

A view of the closed Jahangirpuri Metro station as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that entry and exit gates at 57 stations will remain closed from October 9 and throughout October 10 for security reasons.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and its chairman filed a separate affidavit in the Supreme Court on Wednesday (Oct 15, 2026) stating that the metro network remained “fully operational” on October 10, recording 32 million passengers.

“There has been no reduction in the total volume of metro traffic or the number of train runs,” the DMRC said.

Although the DMRC admitted that commuter traffic was “slightly lower” than the typical 58,000 passengers during a “normal” second Saturday, it attributed the decline to public caution amid the protests rather than administrative paralysis. It said that ordinary citizens were “forced to give up their usual daily activities” on October 10.

On that day, there was a heavy security crackdown in the capital against demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Petitioners such as CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby and advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi argued that the widespread barricades and station closures violated the Supreme Court’s October 9 order ordering reasonable restrictions on movement.

Defending its actions, the DMRC said entry and exit regulations were restricted to 45 of the network’s 303 stations on October 10. Although the original number of stations to be closed on 10 October was 57, it has been reduced to 45, representing about 15% of the network.

“More than 85% of the network (258 stations) remained fully operational, accessible and functional for commuters,” DMRC said.

Crucially, of the 45 stations where entry and exit gates were regulated, 14 key interchange stations (including major transit hubs such as Rajiv Chowk, Kashmir Gate, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, Hauz Khas, Dilli Haat-INA and Netaji Subhash Place) continued to provide full and uninterrupted commuter line interchange facilities. Commuters to and from the city could seamlessly change transit corridors without interruption, the affidavit said.

“At limited stations where passenger gates have been regulated, other metro stations have remained open to minimize inconvenience to the traveling public,” the affidavit said.

The company claimed a full timetable was maintained, with 271 trains making 4,157 journeys, and noted that restrictions at 45 affected stations had been fully lifted by 10pm on 10 October.

In her affidavit, DMRC Chairperson D. Thara sought discharge from the contempt proceedings initiated by the Supreme Court with the order passed at the end of a special hearing on Sunday, October 11.

Ms. Thara said that the DMRC will act strictly in accordance with the assessments made and directions issued by the law enforcement agencies and ensure the smooth functioning of the metro network.

On October 12, an affidavit said that metro services at six stations were closed from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The time was later extended by an hour until 5:00 p.m. Perhaps it was in view of the “march for democracy” of the opposition bloc to the Supreme Court.

Published – 14 October 2026 17:05 IST