Citing security reasons, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said 17 metro stations in central Delhi will remain closed on Friday from 7:30 am until further instructions.
The stations to remain shut are Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium and Jhandewalan.
However, interchange facilities will be available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations.
The metro stations had been remaining shut over the last two days due to the protests. But the entry gates of three stations -- Central Secretariat, Mandi House and Rajiv Chowk -- were opened late evening on Thursday.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant had warned that the Supreme Court would intervene if the Supreme Court metro station is not opened by Thursday afternoon. The CJI was responding to Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh, who flagged the difficulties faced by lawyers. "If by lunchtime something does not happen to open it, I will intervene," the CJI said.
New Delhi has been witnessing long traffic jams throughout the day over the last two days due to the protest. Traffic was significantly slowed along Vikas Marg, Sansad Marg, Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place Outer Circle, Patel Chowk, India Gate Circle, DDU Marg, Minto Road, and the ITO Tunnel. Motorists faced long queues due to barricades placed on a section of the road near the ITO Tunnel.
A massive traffic jam was also reported on the Delhi-Gurugram Road on Thursday.
Delhi Schools go hybrid
Following the traffic and security issues, several schools in central Delhi have decided to shift to hybrid classes.
R S Junior Modern School on Humayun Road has informed parents that classes from Nursery to Class 5 will be conducted in the hybrid mode -- both physical and online -- from July 24 until further notice, citing the "ongoing situation in Central Delhi".
Students attending classes from home have been asked to follow the regular timetable and join classes via Microsoft Teams, while wearing school uniform, according to a circular.
