Delhi MetroThe Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in a statement issued on Thursday, stated that it would be shutting down 16 metro stations in New Delhi due to the planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), as the people belonging to the said political party would continue their protests for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.According to the statement issued by the DMRC, the shutdown of 16 metro stations has been planned from 7:30 AM on Thursday, July 23, 2026, and would remain closed until further notice.In an official update, the DMRC said: "Below mentioned Metro stations will be closed from 07:30 AM till further instructions. However, Interchange facility shall remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat."While commuters will not be able to enter or exit at the closed stations, the metro operator clarified that passengers travelling through the network can continue to use Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat as interchange stations. This means passengers will still be able to switch between metro lines at these three major interchange hubs without exiting the stations, helping maintain connectivity across the network despite the restrictions.Delhi Metro Rail Corporation updateThe temporary closure affects several prominent stations located in central Delhi and surrounding areas, many of which serve busy commercial districts, government offices and important public institutions.The following 16 metro stations have been closed:Lok Kalyan MargRajiv ChowkPatel ChowkRamakrishna Ashram MargBarakhambha RoadSupreme CourtSeva TeerthJanpathMandi HouseCentral SecretariatITODelhi GateIndraprasthaKhan MarketJor BaghShivaji Stadium The closure of these stations is going to affect several thousands of commuters on a daily basis who use the Delhi Metro as a means of transportation within the city and especially those who have destinations in central Delhi in working hours. Some of the stations that have been affected are located near the most busy areas such as commercial centers, offices of businesses and the government departments, educational institutes and other locations.As a result of these actions, the commuters who travel in these regions cannot use the Metro as a mode of transport but they are free to use other alternatives or travel via some other route. If the passengers are travelling on the same metro line, then they can use the service without entering or exiting from these stations as the interchange facility is available at stations like Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.The shutdown is happening amid the protest being held by the CJP supporters against Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. As a result, the concerned authorities have taken some preventive steps for controlling the movement in certain areas of the city.The DMRC has yet not clarified the timing of when the normal services at the affected stations will resume, saying only that the stations will be shut down until further notice. Hence, commuters have been told to keep track of DMRC's announcements for their safe travels.Travellers who will be travelling in central Delhi should allow extra time for their trip, check the status of the metro stations before leaving for work, and look for alternate routes whenever required.