The roads leading to almost all metro stations in Central Delhi were chock-a-block with commuters on Tuesday as due to extra checking and frisking at their entrances by security personnel, in the run up to Independence Day, long queues of passengers formed outside. Such lines could be seen at the interchange stations of Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat even during the lean traffic period around 2 p.m.
Several roads were made one-way and auto rickshaws were restricted from plying on certain roads resulting in more people opting for the metro.
“I thought of taking an auto to office from Connaught Place as the distance is near enough for a minimum fare. However, after 20 minutes of standing around with no rickshaws willing to go round the police pickets, I was forced to take the metro even though it was just one station away,” said a man who de-boarded at Patel Chowk metro station where the men’s line to reach the metro station security extended to the road outside.
Similarly, the Rajiv Chowk metro station which usually bears a lazy and unhurried look past noon was surprisingly full of commuters this afternoon.
Across the metro network, the Central Industrial Security Force has stepped up security checks in view of the alert from the Intelligence Bureau of a possible terrorist strike in the Capital ahead of Independence Day.
