Delhi Metro access restrictions have reached their highest level in a decade, with security-related curbs imposed 100 times across stations in 2026, according to an analysis of DMRC public advisories.
The count includes full station closures, partial closures and entry or exit restrictions announced for security reasons. This suggests that security measures were imposed across a wider set of stations whenever restrictions were announced. The rise was not driven by a higher number of restriction days. Yet the number of restriction instances was significantly higher this year.
Stations restricted on multiple days are counted each time they appeared in advisories, while Covid-related restrictions imposed between April and October 2020 have been excluded from the analysis. Restrictions were announced on 11 days in 2026, the same number as in 2021 and fewer than the 20 days recorded in 2019.
Most of these stations are located near the Parliament, Central Vista, government offices, diplomatic areas or major protest venues, locations that often witness heightened security arrangements. In an affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court on October 14, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said entry and exit restrictions were imposed at 45 of its 303 stations on October 14. The agency added that train services continued as scheduled, with all 4,157 planned trips operated and no reduction in services. More than 85 per cent of stations remained fully operational, according to the affidavit.
