Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; New Delhi, October 12: Security was tightened across the national capital on Monday ahead of a protest programme and march called by the Opposition INDIA bloc. The Delhi Police and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) took precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident and maintain law and order in Central Delhi. As part of the security arrangements, entry and exit at six important metro stations in the heart of the city were suspended from 6 am to 4 pm on October 12.

According to an official advisory issued by the Delhi Metro, all gates at the six stations remained closed during the specified period as a precautionary measure. The affected stations are Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road. The restrictions were introduced to ensure passenger safety and help the authorities manage the expected movement of protesters in and around Central Delhi.

The temporary closure of these stations was expected to affect commuters travelling through some of the capital's busiest transport hubs. Passengers were likely to face inconvenience while accessing offices, commercial centres and other important destinations in the affected areas. The restrictions also added to the challenges for people travelling through Central Delhi during the morning and afternoon hours.

Meanwhile, Jantar Mantar, the designated centre of the Opposition bloc's scheduled protest, was placed under a heightened security blanket. The historic protest site was surrounded by barricades, while a large contingent of Delhi Police personnel and central paramilitary forces was deployed to maintain order and monitor the situation.

Security agencies remained on alert to prevent any escalation during the demonstration. Water cannons and riot-control personnel were kept on standby as part of the precautionary arrangements. The measures were aimed at preventing any unauthorised march towards sensitive locations, including Parliament House and the Supreme Court.

The extensive deployment reflected the administration's efforts to manage the protest peacefully while ensuring that security arrangements around key government and judicial institutions remained intact. Police personnel were tasked with monitoring the gathering, regulating movement around the protest site and responding to any potential law-and-order situation.

The metro restrictions and heightened security deployment were expected to remain significant factors affecting movement across Central Delhi during the designated hours. Commuters were advised to take the station closures into account while planning their journeys through the affected areas.

With barricades in place, additional security personnel deployed and six metro stations temporarily closed, the national capital witnessed extensive security arrangements on Monday as authorities prepared to manage the INDIA bloc's protest programme at Jantar Mantar.