DELHI’S TRANSPORT NETWORK FACES A MAJOR SHUTDOWN THREAT AS CJP PROTEST TRIGGERS RAIL AND METRO RESTRICTIONS
October 9, 2026
New Delhi is preparing for significant transport disruptions on October 10 as authorities move to manage the anticipated crowds surrounding a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with incoming trains to two major railway stations cancelled during a 10-hour window and restrictions proposed at 57 Delhi Metro stations.
Indian Railways has cancelled Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday. The decision was taken amid concerns that severe road congestion around the stations could leave arriving passengers struggling to find taxis and other onward transport.
Under the railway order, trains departing their originating stations after 2 pm on Friday and scheduled to reach either of the two stations during the specified period will be cancelled at source. Trains terminating at other Delhi stations have not been included in the cancellation order, while services originating from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin were not initially affected. Their subsequent schedules could nevertheless face disruption if incoming trainsets fail to arrive as planned.
The railway restrictions coincide with a major security response to the CJP’s planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the electoral authorities of facilitating the deletion of genuine voters. These allegations remain contested.
Delhi Police has also asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 stations across the capital. The proposed measures include reducing train frequency at the identified stations and are intended to prevent large crowds from moving towards sensitive locations.
The proposed Metro restrictions were scheduled to begin at 9 pm on Friday, October 9, and could continue through Saturday until the situation returns to normal. The stations identified span central, northern, southern, eastern and other parts of Delhi, potentially affecting commuters well beyond the immediate protest venue.
The scale of the proposed measures reflects authorities’ concerns about crowd movement and public order during the demonstration. However, the Metro restrictions were reported as a police request to DMRC, rather than confirmation that all 57 stations would necessarily be closed throughout the period.
Passengers travelling to Delhi on Saturday have been advised to check their train status before departure and make alternative arrangements where necessary. Metro commuters should likewise verify operational updates before setting out, particularly if their journeys involve central Delhi or areas surrounding Jantar Mantar.
The combined rail cancellations and proposed Metro restrictions threaten substantial inconvenience for residents, office-goers and visitors on a day when large-scale demonstrations are expected to place additional pressure on the capital’s transport network.
