SUFFERING ENDS, DELHI METRO STATIONS REOPEN

All roads leading to the sit-in site were opened to traffic

Shortly after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ended his dharna on Tuesday, doors to the four metro stations that had been closed owing to the protest were opened and train services resumed along the affected stretch.

All roads leading to the sit-in site, earlier barricaded by the Delhi Police, were also opened to traffic.

A Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson said: “We didn’t close the station on our own. We got the directives from the Delhi Police and had to abide by them as it was a case of law and order. Moreover, we only closed some vulnerable entry and exit points at Patel Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Race Course and Central Secretariat in Central Delhi, where the agitation was going on. We know it caused people immense inconvenience, but there was nothing we could do. All trains will run as per schedule from now on.”

Earlier in the day, those visiting Central Delhi had to get down at the Rajiv Chowk station. Police barricading led to major traffic issues and inconvenience to all, especially to the elderly, students and the differently-abled. While some decided to walk to their destinations, others had to take lift from private vehicles or travel by bus.

Vipin Kumar said: “I got down at Rajiv Chowk to get to the Reserve Bank of India building. I had a meeting today [on Tuesday], which I missed as the auto-rickshaw drivers who agreed to take me to RBI were demanding unreasonably high fares.”

Sushma Nag usually takes the metro till Patel Chowk and then takes an auto-rickshaw to her workplace. Seeing her using crutches, a family offered to drop her. They took a long detour via Ashoka Road to reach the building as Raisina Road was closed.

“Today, my children had a painting competition in Connaught Place. They could not participate as it started at 10 a.m. and metro services were not available on that stretch and the roads were blocked too. They had really prepared well for the competition,” said Leena Agarwal, a resident of Karol Bagh .