On October 10, 2026, Delhi Metro closed 45 gates to control a public event that unfolded as a protest. The closures were aimed at managing the crowd that had gathered in the city.
The gate shutdown meant that 26 lakh passengers could not travel on that day, representing a significant portion of the usual ridership.
Despite the closures, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation maintained that no services were cancelled. The corporation said that more than 85 per cent of the network remained fully operational and accessible to commuters.
On the same day, October 10, the Supreme Court heard arguments concerning the metro’s operation during the protest, examining whether the closures were justified.
On October 10, 2026, DMRC ran 271 trains, which completed a total of 4,157 train trips across the system.
Out of the 303 stations that make up the Delhi Metro network, 258 stations stayed open for passengers on the day of the protest. Entry and exit were restricted at 45 stations.
Only 14 stations allowed passengers to change between metro lines on October 10, reflecting the limited connectivity caused by the gate restrictions.
Approximately 32 lakh commuters used the metro on October 10, 2026. On a normal second Saturday, the network typically sees about 58 lakh passengers.
The demonstration was called by the Cockroach Janta Party and some student organisations, who directed their grievances toward the Chief Election Commissioner.
After the station closures, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation submitted a plea for forgiveness to the Supreme Court, seeking the Court’s indulgence for the action taken.
In its plea, DMRC said it respected the honor of the Supreme Court and wished to apologize for any inconvenience caused to the public by the gate closures.
On the same day, October 10, the Supreme Court heard arguments concerning the metro’s operation during the protest, examining whether the closures were justified.
The following day, October 11, the Court issued an order directing the authorities to reopen the gates that had been shut the previous day.
Complying with the court order, the 45 gates were reopened on October 11, restoring normal access to the affected stations.
The incident is now under court scrutiny to determine whether the Delhi Police abused their power in ordering or enforcing the gate closures.
On October 14, further protests took place in Delhi, showing that the underlying tensions persisted beyond the initial metro‑gate episode.
Throughout the proceedings, the Supreme Court was described as maintaining a neutral position, neither endorsing nor condemning the metro’s actions outright.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation adopted a supportive tone toward the Court’s process, expressing willingness to cooperate and seek forgiveness.
The corporation itself presented a neutral view of the events, focusing on the operational facts rather than assigning blame.
The Delhi Metro brand was characterised as neutral in the coverage, reflecting the balanced presentation of the situation by the sources.
In contrast, the Delhi Police were framed as critical, with suggestions that their role in the gate closures may have been excessive or improper.
DMRC repeatedly insisted that no services were cancelled, countering the narrative of a widespread shutdown by highlighting the continued train runs and the high percentage of open stations.
The episode remains a point of legal and public debate over how urban transit systems should manage large demonstrations, balancing passenger flow, safety, and judicial oversight.