The metro services in Delhi were “fully operational” on Saturday and reduction in ridership may be because of the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar which prompted a large number of commuters to refrain from travelling, the Live Law quoted the metro authority as telling the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said that nearly 32 lakh passengers travelled in the trains that day, compared with around 58 lakh on a normal second Saturday.
On Friday, the Supreme Court barred the authorities in Delhi from imposing a complete closure of metro services in the national capital.
The order came on petitions filed in the Supreme Court challenging the proposed closure of 57 metro stations and other restrictions.
On Sunday, a bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard petitions challenging the detention of protesters and restrictions on public transport during Saturday’s demonstrations. The bench said that it had taken note of the alleged violations of its earlier order.
It directed the authorities to submit a short affidavit explaining why contempt proceedings should not be initiated.
On Wednesday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation submitted that while there was no reduction in the number of train trips, entry and exit were restricted at 45 of the 303 metro stations on directions of the Delhi Police.
It also said...