While Metro trains continue to run, passengers cannot board or alight at 16 stations surrounding the protest site, as authorities seek to prevent large crowds from reaching the ongoing CJP agitation.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 22, 2026: Commuters across central Delhi faced major disruptions on Wednesday after the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), acting on the advice of Delhi Police, closed the entry and exit gates of 16 Metro stations around Jantar Mantar and the Parliament area as authorities tightened security amid the ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
The restrictions are aimed at limiting access to Jantar Mantar, where thousands of students and youth have been protesting for days, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities. The agitation has intensified during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with protesters repeatedly attempting a “Sansad Chalo” march towards Parliament.
Although Metro services continue to operate on all lines, passengers are not permitted to board or alight at the affected stations. Interchange facilities remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.
The stations currently closed for entry and exit include Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth (formerly Udyog Bhawan), Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium.
The closures have effectively cut off the easiest public transport routes to Jantar Mantar, forcing commuters and protesters alike to disembark at stations farther away and navigate multiple police barricades, roadblocks and security checkpoints before reaching the protest site.
Authorities have also imposed traffic diversions, sealed several roads leading towards Parliament and deployed heavy police and paramilitary personnel across New Delhi district. Combined with prohibitory orders in sensitive areas, the Metro restrictions have created a multi-layered security cordon around the protest venue.
The impact extends far beyond demonstrators. Thousands of Central government employees working in ministries and offices located in Lutyens’ Delhi have also been affected. Stations such as Central Secretariat, Seva Teerth, Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg and Janpath serve several Union ministries and government offices, forcing employees to undertake long walks, change routes or rely on overcrowded alternative stations.
For office-goers, tourists and residents, the restrictions have resulted in longer travel times, overcrowding at operational Metro stations and delays in reaching workplaces and other destinations.
Police have maintained that the restrictions are purely preventive and intended to maintain law and order, prevent unauthorised marches towards Parliament and avoid any untoward incidents in the high-security zone during the ongoing protests.
READ: ‘Don’t Waste Our Time’: CJI Snubs Plea on Police Brutality
Protest organisers, however, have accused the authorities of using public infrastructure to curb participation in demonstrations, arguing that restricting Metro access has made it significantly harder for students and supporters from across Delhi-NCR to reach the designated protest site.
Service Update
Below mentioned Metro stations have been closed till further instructions. However, Interchange facility shall remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.
1. Lok Kalyan Marg
2. Rajiv Chowk
3. Patel Chowk
4. Ramakrishna Ashram Marg
5.…— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) July 22, 2026
The use of Metro restrictions during major agitations is not new. Similar measures have been adopted during previous protests in central Delhi whenever authorities anticipated large crowds or attempts to march towards Parliament or other sensitive government installations.
The Metro closures remain in force until further orders, with commuters advised to check the DMRC’s latest service updates before travelling through central Delhi.
