The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has told the Supreme Court that no train services were cancelled during the 10 October protest in the National Capital, although entry and exit restrictions were imposed at 45 stations following directions from law-enforcement agencies.
In a compliance affidavit filed in response to a contempt petition, DMRC chairperson D. Thara, an IAS officer, tendered an unconditional apology to the court. The affidavit stated that more than 85 per cent of the metro network remained fully operational for passengers on the day.
According to the affidavit, 258 of the 303 stations in the network were available to commuters, while restrictions were imposed at 45 stations. DMRC said the restrictions were implemented on the basis of security assessments and directions issued by law-enforcement agencies.
The metro corporation also stated that the number of restricted stations was initially set at 57. After the police carried out a fresh assessment of security requirements following the Supreme Court’s intervention, the number was reduced to 45.
DMRC said 271 trains were deployed on 10 October and operated a total of 4,157 trips, which it described as the normal level of service for the day. The corporation told the court that there had been no reduction in the number of train trips on any metro route.
However, passenger ridership was substantially lower than usual. DMRC reported that around 3.2 million passengers travelled on the network on 10 October, compared with approximately 5.8 million passengers normally recorded on the second Saturday of a month. The corporation said the protest may have contributed to the decline, as many people could have decided not to travel.
The restrictions at the 45 stations were removed from 10 pm on 10 October, according to the affidavit. The filing followed the Supreme Court’s direction on 9 October asking DMRC to submit a compliance report on metro operations and restrictions imposed during the protest.
DMRC also told the court that the petitioners had provided incorrect information by claiming that essential public transport had been completely shut down. It argued that the directions issued on 9 October had been passed without hearing the corporation, as DMRC had not been present before the court at that stage.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Centre to ensure that there was no complete stoppage of metro operations or trains arriving in the National Capital in connection with the protest. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had also directed DMRC and other parties to file compliance affidavits.
The affidavit places the dispute around the distinction between a full service shutdown and restrictions at selected stations. The court will consider the compliance material in the contempt proceedings.
