Full Breakdown
Delhi Metro’s Oct 10 2026 Service Amid Protests: Operations, Court Dispute and After-effects
By Drooid · · How we work
What Happened on Oct 10 2026
On Oct 10 2026 the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) ran its standard Saturday schedule of 271 trains, completing 4,157 trips across its 303-station network. Entry and exit gates were regulated at 45 stations (? 15 %); the remaining 258 stations stayed fully open, and interchange facilities continued at 14 restricted stations, including Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate. The corporation reported 3.2 million passengers, versus the 5.8 million typical for a normal second Saturday.
Background & Context
The restrictions responded to a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged roll-revision irregularities.
Timeline
- Oct 8 – Police notification proposes closure of entry/exit at 57 stations.
- Oct 9 – Supreme Court issues a “no complete prohibition” order.
- Oct 10 – DMRC operates all scheduled trips; entry/exit restricted at 45 stations.
- Oct 11 – Contempt petition filed; DMRC chairperson seeks discharge.
- Oct 12 – DMRC announces additional closures at six stations from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for security.
- Oct 13 – Supreme Court directs respondents to file compliance reports and counter-affidavits.
- Oct 15 – DMRC and chairperson file affidavits reaffirming full operational status on Oct 10.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Oct 10 | Normal Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Trains inducted | 271 | – |
| Trips run | 4,157 | – |
| Stations with regulated entry/exit | 45 (15 %) | – |
| Passengers carried | 3.2 million | 5.8 million |
Official Statements & Responses
- Supreme Court (Oct 9): Prohibited “outright prohibition” of metro services and required any regulated arrangement to be “widely publicised.”
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta (Oct 11 hearing): Stated metro services “operated normally” with entry/exit regulated at 45 stations.
Criticism & Opposition
- Petitioner Shailendra Mani Tripathi alleges authorities “wilfully violated” the Oct 9 direction, claiming the closures “crippled public life.”
- Senior advocate Shadan Farasat warned the situation threatened democratic rights, saying the right to protest was “destroyed.”
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced a mass march to the Supreme Court, urging citizens to unite beyond party lines.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Police initially listed 57 stations for closure; DMRC later reported a reduction to 45 after the Court’s intervention. Sources differ on whether the reduction was fully implemented before Oct 10.
- DMRC reports “zero reduction” in train trips, while petitioners allege frequency cuts; independent verification is lacking.
What’s Next
- The Supreme Court set an Oct 13 deadline for the Union Home Secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner and DMRC chairperson to submit compliance reports and counter-affidavits.
- A further hearing on the contempt petition is scheduled for early October 2026 (exact date pending).
- DMRC will continue to monitor security conditions; any additional station restrictions will be announced through its official channels.
