New Delhi:
Nine Metro stations in Central Delhi, including the busiest Rajiv Chowk, was closed from early morning today in the wake of the protests that have continued near India Gate over the gang-rape of a paramedic student.
Shutting down Rajiv Chowk has caused a lot of inconvenience as it is one of the busiest metro stations that sees the maximum footfall of over five lakh commuters a day.
Other metro stations that were shut are Pragati Maidan, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Race Course and Khan Market.
As a result of this there was chaos outside Metro stations with hundreds of people reaching the stations unaware that they have been closed.
Though inter-change was allowed at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat stations, it was not of much help to the people as stations nearby were also closed.
Radhika, a software professional who works at the Parliament Street, said she was unaware that all stations near her office were closed today. She was shocked when the train did not stop at three stations continuously and heaved a sigh of relief when it stopped at Rajiv Chowk.
"But I was not allowed to exit from the station. I am stuck inside now. I don't know how to reach my office though it is less than a km from here," she said.
She is not alone as there are several hundreds of passengers who got stranded at the stations.
The stations will remain closed till further orders due to protests at India Gate. The stations have been closed to prevent people from reaching India Gate and other protest sites.