Jantar Mantar protest: Two Namo Bharat stations closed Oct 9-10
Synopsis
Two Namo Bharat stations in Delhi — Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar — will be closed for over 25 hours starting 9 pm on 9 October, as authorities brace for a major Jantar Mantar protest over the Election Commission's SIR drive. The DMRC is simultaneously shutting entry and exit at 57 metro stations, making this one of the largest transit disruptions the capital has seen ahead of a political demonstration.
Key Takeaways
NCRTC has closed Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat stations from 9:00 p.m. on 9 October to 10:00 p.m. on 10 October .
Namo Bharat train services between Anand Vihar and Modipuram will continue on schedule; trains will not stop at the two affected stations.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called a protest at Jantar Mantar on 10 October over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive and vote theft allegations.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced closure of entry and exit at 57 metro stations from 9 p.m. on 9 October throughout 10 October, except interchange facilities.
New Delhi Metro station will not have interchange facilities available during the closure period.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) on Friday, 9 October 2026, issued a passenger advisory announcing the temporary closure of two Namo Bharat train stations in Delhi — Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar — in anticipation of a large-scale protest at Jantar Mantar on 10 October. The closure is intended to ensure passenger safety and uninterrupted train operations during the demonstration.
Station Closure Details
According to the NCRTC advisory, both Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat stations will remain closed to boarding and alighting from 9:00 p.m. on 9 October to 10:00 p.m. on 10 October. The NCRTC clarified that Namo Bharat train services between Anand Vihar (Delhi) and Modipuram (Uttar Pradesh) will continue to operate as per the usual timetable — trains will pass through the two affected stations without stopping.
'It has been decided to keep the Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat stations in Delhi closed for a specified period of hours. Passenger boarding and alighting facilities will not be available at these two stations,' the advisory stated.
What the Protest Is About
The demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 10 October has been called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive and allegations of vote theft. The protest has drawn support from several other political parties, signalling a broader coalition around electoral roll concerns in the national capital.
Delhi Metro Also Affected
The transit disruptions extend beyond Namo Bharat. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) separately announced that entry and exit at 57 metro stations will remain closed from 9 p.m. on Friday and throughout 10 October, until further notice. Interchange facilities will continue to be available at all affected stations, with the exception of New Delhi Metro station.
Advice for Commuters
The NCRTC has urged passengers to factor in the advisory before planning their journeys, particularly those commuting to or from Delhi on 10 October. 'Travellers commuting to or from Delhi, particularly on October 10, are advised to set out with extra time and arrange for alternative travel options to reach their destinations,' the advisory noted. Commuters are encouraged to plan alternative routes in advance to avoid delays.
Point of View
The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision drive and vote theft allegations, sits at the intersection of electoral credibility and political mobilisation, with multiple parties now rallying behind the CJP's call. The scale of the transit shutdown raises a practical question: are these precautionary measures proportionate, or do they inadvertently restrict access for ordinary commuters far beyond the protest footprint? That tension between public order and public convenience deserves scrutiny as similar protest-linked transit closures become more frequent in the capital.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Namo Bharat stations are closed and for how long?
Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat stations in Delhi are closed to passenger boarding and alighting from 9:00 p.m. on 9 October to 10:00 p.m. on 10 October 2026. Namo Bharat trains will continue to run on schedule between Anand Vihar and Modipuram but will not stop at these two stations.
Why are the Namo Bharat stations being closed?
The closures have been ordered by the NCRTC in response to a planned protest at Jantar Mantar on 10 October called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive and vote theft allegations. The measure is intended to ensure passenger safety and smooth train operations.
How many Delhi Metro stations are affected by the protest?
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has announced that entry and exit at 57 metro stations will remain closed from 9 p.m. on 9 October throughout 10 October until further notice. Interchange facilities remain available at all affected stations except New Delhi Metro station.
Will Namo Bharat train services be cancelled?
No, Namo Bharat train services will not be cancelled. The NCRTC has confirmed that trains will continue running between Anand Vihar in Delhi and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh as per the regular timetable; only boarding and alighting at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar stations is suspended.
What is the Jantar Mantar protest on 10 October about?
The protest has been organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, with participants alleging vote theft. Several other political parties have extended their support to the demonstration, broadening its political base.
