Hundreds of employees faced a disrupted start to the workweek on Monday after the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily closed five metro stations over security concerns linked to a proposed protest march to Parliament. According to PTI, the closures left office-goers stranded, delayed commutes and triggered heavy crowds at some of the Capital's busiest transit hubs.
The disruption affected commuters travelling through central Delhi during the Monday morning rush, with many forced to walk to nearby stations or switch to buses, auto-rickshaws and cabs to reach their workplaces.
Security measures disrupt the morning commute
According to PTI, DMRC announced on X that Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth metro stations would remain closed until further instructions due to security reasons.
The closures were implemented ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) planned march to Parliament, prompting heightened security arrangements across central Delhi.
At Rajiv Chowk, one of Delhi's busiest interchange stations, commuters gathered near locked entry and exit gates as they waited for updates. Outside Janpath station, employees, students and other passengers searched for alternate travel options after finding the gates shut.
Employees forced to rethink travel plans
For many employees, the closures extended already lengthy Monday commutes.
According to PTI, commuter Amit Sharma said he had left home nearly an hour earlier than usual to avoid peak-hour traffic but was forced to walk to another metro station after discovering the closure, adding an estimated 30 to 40 minutes to his journey.
College student Riya Verma told PTI she and her classmates reached Janpath station only to find the gates locked, leaving them to look for another route to college.
As uncertainty grew, commuters were seen checking navigation apps, calling colleagues and family members, and seeking directions from metro staff and police personnel.
What was affected
According to PTI, the disruption included:
- Five metro stations closed: Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth.
- Crowding at major stations, particularly around closed entry and exit gates.
- Alternate transport demand increased, with commuters shifting to buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis.
- Longer travel times for employees and students heading to offices and educational institutions.
Videos shared on social media also showed some passengers climbing over barricades and locked gates to exit stations after access points were closed.
At Patel Chowk station, PTI reported that security personnel used mild force to disperse people attempting to move towards the protest site at Jantar Mantar.
Transport disruptions remain a key workplace challenge
Monday's disruption highlights how security-related transport restrictions can quickly affect employee mobility in large cities. Temporary metro closures not only extend commute times but also create uncertainty for organisations and workers who depend on public transport to reach offices on time.
With heightened security continuing across central Delhi, commuters are likely to monitor DMRC updates closely until normal metro operations resume.