- 17 Delhi Metro stations closed for third day.
- Commuters face high cab fares, internet disruption.
- CJP protest causes major transport inconvenience in Delhi.
Jagran Correspondent, New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed 17 metro stations for the third consecutive day amid the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led students' protest. The unavailability of services at the key stations has led to inconveniences for the working professionals, students, and other daily commuters. The commuters alleged that they had to cover extra distances due to the closure of these stations.
Metro Services Disrupted
The authorities closed several stations on Friday, including Jhandewalan, Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba, Supreme Court, Seva Tirtha, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, and Shivaji Stadium from 7.30 am. The closure has led to inconveniences as thousands of professionals and students travel on this route on a daily basis.
The commuters faced additional issues on Friday as, along with the closure of metro services, internet services also remained affected around Lutyens' Delhi. The residents faced difficulties booking other transport services, including autos and cabs, to travel to their destinations. While several commuters arrived late at their destinations, others cancelled their plans.
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Commuters Face Inconveniences
While providing details, the daily commuters stated that the sudden closure of stations has forced them to switch to more expensive alternatives. Shalini Rai, who commutes from Mayur Vihar to Parliament Street, said her daily metro fare used to be less than 100 rupees, but now she has to pay 250 to 500 rupees for a cab or auto.
The commuters further alleged that auto drivers are charging heavy fares due to the internet shutdown, leading to disruption in the UPI services. School teachers Rajesh Singh and Amit Kumar stated that they had to travel almost two hours extra to reach their homes.
The government is set to meet with the delegation of the CJP over their demands. As per the reports, the metro services are likely to be restored soon after their negotiation.