Sixteen stations shut "until further instructions"
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed 16 metro stations across central Delhi on Thursday morning, citing security reasons, as authorities tightened the security cordon around the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. In a post on X, DMRC named the affected stations: 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, and Shivaji Stadium — all closed for entry and exit "till further instructions."
Interchanges stay open
DMRC clarified that despite the station closures, interchange facilities at three key junctions — Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat — will continue to operate, allowing commuters to switch between lines even though they cannot enter or exit at those stations. Commuters travelling toward the affected zone are being advised to plan around the nearest operational stations instead.
Why now
The closures come as security around Jantar Mantar and the adjoining Parliament complex has been significantly tightened, in the wake of the violent clashes that erupted on July 20 when thousands of CJP supporters attempted to march toward Parliament. With Parliament's Monsoon Session now in its fourth day and reports of a swelling crowd at the ongoing sit-in, authorities have deployed a multi-layered security arrangement, including Rapid Action Force personnel alongside Delhi Police, to prevent a repeat of that incident. Delhi Police has reiterated that no permission has been granted for any fresh march toward Parliament, and that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) — the successor to the erstwhile Section 144 CrPC — remain in force across the New Delhi district, restricting processions and demonstrations to the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar with prior approval.
A familiar playbook for central Delhi
Temporary metro station closures around Jantar Mantar and the Lutyens' Delhi zone are a well-established security tool used by Delhi Police during large protests in the area, employed during past demonstrations as well. What sets this closure apart is its scale — 16 stations is a significantly larger footprint than the handful typically shut for smaller protests — reflecting how seriously authorities are treating the security situation following last week's violence.
What to expect
DMRC has not indicated a timeline for reopening, tying the closures instead to the security situation around the protest site returning to normal. Commuters relying on any of the 16 affected stations should expect ongoing disruption and are advised to check DMRC's official channels for real-time updates before planning journeys through central Delhi.