Delhi protest on October 10: Metro restrictions, train cancellations and traffic diversions for Jantar Mantar

Delhi commuters face major travel disruptions on Saturday, October 10, 2026, as authorities tighten security ahead of a proposed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. Entry and exit are restricted at 45 Metro stations, trains serving Delhi have been cancelled, and police say traffic diversions may begin from 6 a.m. Mobile internet services are also subject to a temporary suspension in a designated part of central Delhi.

The CJP and student groups are calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police has denied permission for the gathering, citing the timing of the application and alleged violations at an earlier protest. Security arrangements and transport advisories may change as the day unfolds.

Which Delhi Metro stations are affected?

Delhi Metro revised an earlier plan covering 57 stations. Under its updated advisory, entry and exit at 45 stations are restricted from 9 p.m. on Friday, October 9, until 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 10. The affected stations include Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Janpath, Mandi House and Barakhamba Road.

The restriction concerns access to the listed stations, not a shutdown of the entire Metro network. Interchange remains available at affected stations except New Delhi Metro station, according to the revised advisory. Passengers should check Delhi Metro’s latest service update before setting out, particularly if they need to enter or leave at an interchange station.

What is happening to trains and roads?

Northern Railway has cancelled numerous services connected with Delhi, including trains serving New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations. Its cancellation lists expanded through Friday, and published totals have differed. Travellers should therefore check the status of their specific train rather than rely on a single overall cancellation figure.

Delhi Traffic Police says diversions may be imposed at 30 points from 6 a.m. Saturday, depending on conditions. Locations identified in its advisory include Mandi House, Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Patel Chowk, the Tolstoy Marg–Janpath crossing, and junctions around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar. The police have asked people travelling through New Delhi and central Delhi to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals or the airport to allow extra time and avoid non-essential trips. The diversions are conditional, so a listed road may not be restricted throughout the day.

Where is mobile internet affected?

Authorities ordered a suspension of mobile internet services within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing, from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Saturday. The announced measure applies to mobile internet in the designated area, not to all internet access across Delhi. People travelling through the zone may want to save tickets, addresses and other essential information for offline use.

The New Delhi Traders Association has also advised commercial establishments in Connaught Place to remain closed on Saturday as a precaution. That is an association advisory, not a blanket closure order for every business in the capital.

Why is the protest being called?

The dispute centres on the Election Commission of India’s SIR, a review of voter lists. The CJP and other critics allege that the exercise has wrongly excluded voters and are seeking Kumar’s resignation. The opposition INDIA bloc has held separate protests accusing the commission of failing to ensure free and fair elections. The Election Commission and the government reject allegations of political manipulation and say the review is intended to remove duplicate and ineligible entries.

For anyone travelling on October 10, the practical priority is to confirm their train or Metro station’s status shortly before departure and allow for changing road restrictions. The announced security measures do not mean that every station, road or business in Delhi is closed.