Delhi Metro shuts down three stations

Police directive to close down stations fearing huge protests over child’s rape

April 23, 2013 12:54 pm | Updated 12:56 pm IST - NEW DELHI:

Central Secretariat metro station wearing a deserted look on Monday as it was shut down due to preventive security measures around Parliament House. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Central Secretariat metro station wearing a deserted look on Monday as it was shut down due to preventive security measures around Parliament House. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

The anti-rape protests may not have succeeded in getting Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar to resign but it brought the shutters down on three Metro stations close to Parliament, India Gate and the Prime Minister’s residence during working hours on Monday.

Anticipating protests to demand justice for the five-year-old girl, Delhi Metro closed down the Race Course, Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat stations as per instructions from the Delhi Police. While the Race Course station was closed from 6-45 p.m. on Sunday, the other two stations closed for the public from 10-15 a.m. The stations were subsequently reopened by 5-40 p.m. on Monday evening.

Monday’s events were a repeat of last December when nine Metro stations were shut down to prevent protesters from accessing important seats of power such as Raisina Hill. Barring entry and exit into these metro stations last year inconvenienced countless commuters trying to reach various parts of the city and on Monday it inconvenienced those commuters who live and work around Central Delhi.

Trains plying on the Yellow Line — on which all the three stations are located — slowed down while crossing the stations and stopped only at the Central Secretariat station where interchange facility was available. This prompted bewildered expressions from commuters who had not heard the announcements made by the Delhi Metro. “Closing down stations because of the protests means the public at large is inconvenienced,” said a commuter who did not wish to be named.

The Delhi Metro on its part has attributed the shutdown of stations to “security restrictions”. Yet, such restrictions have now become a part and parcel of metro operations. Every year, the metro services are curtailed on several occasions such as New Year’s Eve, Republic Day and Holi. When the city gears up to ring in the New Year, three stations in and around Connaught Place – a popular hangout – close down as early as 7-30 p.m. on December 31.

On Republic Day, when hundreds of commuters head towards India Gate to watch the Parade, they cannot rely on the Metro since services are curtailed between 6 a.m. and 12-30 p.m. on several lines and on Holi services are curtailed till 2 p.m.

Critics say the non-availability of Metro services during special events is prioritising operator convenience over passengers’ and people do not have access to a safe mode of transport when it is most needed. “If you have messages such as ‘Do not drink and drive’ and then you curtail the public transport system, there is definitely a disconnect there,” observed a noted architect.

A senior planner associated with developing the Bus Rapid Transit corridor said: “Generally, it [special occasions] is the time people would want to use public transport and the supply of these services should increase when the demand increases.”

Centre for Science and Environment executive director Anumita Roychowdhury noted that the key approach to public transport management is that it needs to facilitate the movement of people especially during events that induce public traffic. “It should be about better connectivity during festival times, ensuring a safe commute. For instance, if people want to go to CP on New Year’s Eve then access should be improved through public transport systems. Shutting down the Metro system means it is only concerned with the safety and security of the Metro [infrastructure] rather than the people,” she said, adding: “The focus should be on safe access and public transport is part of this process.”

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