Delhi is witnessing extensive transport restrictions and heightened security on Saturday, October 10, ahead of the planned Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police has denied permission for the demonstration, citing public safety, traffic concerns and alleged violations of guidelines during an earlier protest.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has restricted entry and exit at 45 stations until 6 pm on October 10, while Northern Railway has cancelled 245 trains originating from or terminating at Delhi stations. Retail liquor shops are also closed on October 9 and 10. Delhi Police has announced traffic restrictions at 30 locations, erected barricades and intensified surveillance. Commuters have been advised to check official updates and allow additional time for their journeys.
Metro And Train Disruptions
The restrictions are expected to affect commuters travelling through central Delhi, particularly those heading towards Connaught Place, New Delhi Railway Station, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and other major transit points. According to reports, entry and exit gates at 45 Metro stations have been closed from 9 pm on Friday, October 9, until 6 pm on Saturday, October 10. Although the restrictions initially covered 57 stations, the latest reported arrangement involves 45 stations. Interchange facilities remain available at affected stations, except New Delhi Metro station, allowing passengers to change lines at other designated stations.
Stations affected include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, New Delhi, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Supreme Court and Indraprastha, alongside stations on the Red, Pink, Violet and Magenta lines. Passengers should check the latest DMRC advisories before setting out, as station access restrictions may affect their usual routes.
Rail travel has also been disrupted. Northern Railway has cancelled 245 trains originating from or terminating at Delhi stations, including 75 Mail and Express services and 170 passenger trains. The cancellations cover services scheduled to reach New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10, after departing their originating stations after 2 pm on October 9.
Two trains have been rescheduled, while nine have been short-terminated or short-originated. Affected services include the Prayagraj Express, Sampoorna Kranti Express, Kanpur–New Delhi Shatabdi Express and Rajendra Nagar–New Delhi Tejas Express. Railway officials cited anticipated severe road congestion around the stations as a factor behind the arrangements.
Service Update – Revised Due to security reasons, the entry and exit at the following metro stations will remain closed from 09:00 PM on 9th October, 2026 till 06:00 PM on 10th October, 2026. Further the situation will be reviewed by the security agencies and necessary updates will be shared accordingly. However, interchange facility will remain available at all the concerned metro stations except New Delhi metro station. 1. Janpath 2. Patel Chowk 3. Central Secretariat 4. Lok Kalyan Marg 5. Rajiv Chowk 6. New Delhi 7. Seva Teerth 8. Mandi House 9. Barakhamba Road 10. ITO 11. Delhi Gate 12. Khan Market 13. Ramakrishna Ashram Marg 14. Jhandewalan 15. Supreme Court 16. Indraprastha 17. Shivaji Stadium 18. Dilli Haat-INA 19. Hauz Khas 20. Jor Bagh 21. Lajpat Nagar 22. Jangpura 23. Ashram 24. Jamia Millia Islamia 25. Chawri Bazar 26. Jama Masjid 27. Karol Bagh 28. Rajendra Place 29. Vishwavidyalaya 30. Kashmere Gate 31. Inderlok 32. Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar 33. Netaji Subhash Place 34. Azadpur 35. Jahangirpuri 36. Haiderpur Badli Mor 37. Majlis Park 38. Seelampur 39. Maujpur-Babarpur 40. Jafrabad 41. Welcome 42. Yamuna Vihar 43. Khajuri Khas 44. Shahdara 45. Rithala This is in partial modification of the update shared earlier about the closure of Metro stations.
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) October 9, 2026
Traffic, Liquor And Security Restrictions
The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory on October 9, warning that traffic could be affected on specified stretches on October 10, depending on the law-and-order situation. Diversions and restrictions may be introduced at 30 locations from 6 am, including Mandi House, Jhandewalan, Patel Chowk, Rail Bhawan, Windsor Place, Dhaula Kuan Flyover and Lodhi Road Flyover, as well as intersections around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar. Vehicle checks at Delhi’s borders could also cause delays for people entering the capital from neighbouring states.
Police have advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel through affected areas and allow extra time for journeys to railway stations, bus terminals and the airport. Commuters should also check official traffic updates before leaving, as restrictions and diversions may change according to the situation.
Retail liquor outlets across Delhi are closed on October 9 and 10 following an order from the Excise Department. The order describes the closure as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. However, licensed restaurants, bars and clubs are expected to continue serving alcohol as usual.
Security has been tightened around Jantar Mantar, Tolstoy Marg, Janpath and other sensitive locations, with barricades, vehicle checks and additional personnel deployed. Reports indicate that thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been mobilised, alongside increased surveillance, including body cameras and other monitoring measures. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force, restricting unauthorised gatherings. Reports have also indicated a temporary suspension of mobile internet services within a four-kilometre radius of New Delhi. Residents should check official announcements for the applicable timing and scope of any such restrictions.
In connection with the prevailing law and order situation, traffic diversions and restrictions may be imposed at various locations across Delhi on 10.10.2026 from 06:00 AM, depending on ground conditions. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance, avoid non-essential travel through affected areas and follow official traffic updates. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS •Motorists are requested to remain patient, follow traffic rules and cooperate with traffic personnel deployed in the area. Please follow diversion signs and traffic directions to avoid congestion. •For real-time updates and assistance, connect with Delhi Traffic Police through the following channels: FACEBOOK: https://t.co/XMFa7Ld8gD PLATFORM X: https://t.co/hro9F9Bmge INSTAGRAM: https://t.co/aL9StmHNJn WHATSAPP: 8750871493 HELPLINE NOS.: 1095 / 011-25844444 #DPTrafficAdvisory #DTPUpdates @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @LtGovDelhi @CPDelhi @CMODelhi @DelhiPolice @OfficialDMRC @dtchq_delhi @tweetndmc @FBDPolice @gurgaonpolice @SonipatPolice @jhajjarpolice @ghaziabadpolice @CP_Noida @timesofindia @the_hindu @IndianExpress @AmarUjalaNews @NavbharatTimes @Live_Hindustan @TimesNow @IndiaToday @republic
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) October 9, 2026
Namo Bharat Stations Also Closed
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has also closed the Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat stations from 9 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10 in view of the planned CJP protest.
However, Namo Bharat train services between Anand Vihar in Delhi and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh will continue to operate as scheduled. Passengers travelling to or from the affected stations should plan alternative arrangements and check the latest NCRTC updates before starting their journey.
What Are The Alternatives?
Commuters can consider using the nearest operational Metro station outside the restricted list and completing the remaining journey by bus, taxi or auto-rickshaw. Namo Bharat passengers can use Anand Vihar station, where services continue as scheduled, if it suits their route.
Those travelling by train should check their train’s running status and cancellation details through official railway channels before leaving home. Travellers may also consider alternative railway stations only after confirming that their train stops there. As traffic congestion, barricades and vehicle checks are expected around central Delhi, passengers should allow extra travel time and follow Delhi Traffic Police advisories.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While authorities have a responsibility to maintain public safety and prevent violence, extensive restrictions on public transport and everyday services can place a considerable burden on ordinary residents, workers, students and travellers who may have no connection to the planned demonstration. At the same time, the right to peaceful protest and the need to maintain public order must be addressed through proportionate measures, transparent communication and dialogue.
Delhi Police Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad said permission was denied because the application was not submitted within the prescribed period and the organisers had allegedly failed to follow earlier guidelines and undertakings. CJP, meanwhile, has maintained its call for the demonstration. The situation underlines the importance of clear information, restraint and respect for democratic rights on all sides.
How can authorities safeguard public safety while ensuring that peaceful democratic expression and the daily lives of ordinary citizens are not unnecessarily disrupted?
Also Read: Supreme Court Says No Complete Metro Shutdown In Delhi Ahead Of October 10 Protests
