Delhi Metro ridership fell nearly 45 per cent during Saturday’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) told the Supreme Court. It attributed the drop to the protests, saying many commuters appeared to have avoided travelling.
Around 32 lakh passengers used the Metro on October 10, compared with about 58 lakh on a normal second Saturday. The DMRC described ridership as “slightly lower” than normal in its affidavit.
“This reduction may be attributed to the protest, which appears to have prompted a large number of commuters to refrain from travelling and, consequently, from undertaking their usual daily activities or attending to their business or private employment,” it said.
The DMRC maintained that all 4,157 scheduled train trips ran without curtailment or cancellation. Entry and exit were restricted at 45 of its 303 stations on law enforcement directions. The remaining 258 stayed fully accessible, it said.
Passengers could still change lines at all 14 interchange stations where entry and exit were restricted, the corporation said. It added that steps were taken to keep nearby stations open.
DMRC RESPONDS TO SUPREME COURT
The DMRC and its chairperson filed affidavits in proceedings over alleged violations of the Supreme Court’s directions on Metro and train services. The chairperson said the October 9 order had been followed “in letter and spirit”.
On October 11, while hearing a plea seeking contempt proceedings, the court said the petitioners had made out a “prima facie” case.
Only the DMRC has responded so far. The Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police are yet to reply to notices issued on Sunday and again on Tuesday.
The notices concern petitions over protesters’ detention and alleged assaults on lawyers and journalists, as well as contempt proceedings over alleged shutdowns of roads, Metro and railway services, and internet access.
WHAT THE COURT HAD ORDERED
On October 9, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to ensure there was no “complete prohibition” on the movement of Metro services and trains coming to Delhi ahead of the protests.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant also sought compliance affidavits from the DMRC and others.
Police had initially sought gate closures and service curtailment across 57 stations, the DMRC said. The number was reduced to 45 after a review following the court’s order.
THE PROTESTS AND RESTRICTIONS
The October 10 protests were called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and some student organisations against Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission.
Entry and exit restrictions at the 45 stations began at 9 pm on October 9. The DMRC said station controllers were told to reopen the gates after Delhi Police issued directions at 10 pm on October 10.
The affected stations included Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, Hauz Khas, Dilli Haat-INA and Netaji Subhash Place, where interchange facilities remained open, according to the corporation.
The DMRC said it issued social media updates, displayed advisories at station gates and deployed extra staff to guide commuters and manage crowds. Operations were monitored in coordination with police.
It also said entry and exit at six stations were closed from 6 am to 5 pm on October 12 following police directions.
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