Delhi travel plans for Saturday? Here's what you need to know about train cancellations, Metro curbs

Railways have cancelled several trains arriving in the national capital and rescheduled ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Saturday, citing severe road traffic congestion anticipated around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.

The cancellations come amid heightened security arrangements in Delhi ahead of the CJP's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In a communication issued on Friday, the Railway Board directed that all Mail and Express trains departing from their originating stations after 2 pm on October 9 and scheduled to reach New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10 be cancelled at source.

The Eastern Railway cancelled the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12301) and Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12313), both scheduled to commence their journeys on Friday.

The Western Railway rescheduled the Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12951) and Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express (12953) by five hours. It also cancelled the Bandra Terminus-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (12247).

The Dr Ambedkar Nagar-New Delhi Express (20155), Indore-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (09309), Indore-New Delhi Express (12415) and Sabarmati-New Delhi Express (12957) were also cancelled.

The Danapur division announced the cancellation of the Magadh Express (20801), Patna-Rajendra Nagar Terminal-New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani Express (12309), Sampoorna Kranti Express (12393) and Amrit Bharat Express (22361).

Delhi Metro stations shut

The Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday and continuing through Saturday until the situation normalises.

In a letter dated October 8, Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport Range) Rajneesh Gupta cited the proposed protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations in the New Delhi district and the likelihood of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations.

The police also requested that the frequency of metro trains passing through the listed stations be reduced.

The stations include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Kashmere Gate, Mandi House, ITO, Supreme Court, Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin and several stations in north-east Delhi.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned a plea against the proposed closure of metro stations and the cancellation of trains coming to Delhi.

Advocates Abhishek Singhvi and Prashant Bhushan also urged the court to take note of the proposed restrictions.

Protest permission denied

The Delhi Police, meanwhile, has denied permission for the CJP and some student organisations to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.

Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi range) Nupur Prasad said the application seeking permission was received on October 7, just three days before the proposed demonstration, whereas the rules require applications to be submitted at least 10 days in advance.

She also cited alleged violations of rules during a previous demonstration as a reason for denying permission.

Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers authorities to take preventive measures against potential disturbances, have been imposed in the New Delhi district, the police said.