Gurgaon: Metro commuters faced a difficult journey home on Friday night as entry and exit restrictions at key stations across Delhi forced passengers to change their travel plans, get off at alternative stations and shell out extra money on cabs and autos to reach their destinations. The restrictions left several commuters struggling to find their way home, particularly those who had planned their journeys around stations closest to their destinations.Passengers heading towards Dilli Haat-INA were among those affected, with commuters seen requesting and arguing with metro security personnel to allow them to exit at the station. However, security personnel refused to permit exit, citing strict instructions issued in view of the planned protest.Restrictions have been imposed for security reasons ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest scheduled in Delhi on Saturday. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday revised its list of stations under restrictions, bringing down the number from 57 to 45. The curbs came into effect at 9pm on Friday and will continue until 6pm on Saturday. Interchange facilities will remain available at all affected stations, except New Delhi metro station, according to the DMRC’s revised advisory.For commuters returning home late at night, the restrictions meant having to get off at stations other than their intended destinations and arrange alternative transport for the remaining distance. The additional leg of the journey added to both travel time and expenses, with passengers having to depend on cabs and autos to reach their homes.“I was supposed to get off at NSP and take an e-rickshaw to Pitampura, but the restrictions forced me to exit at Shakurpur instead. I had no option but to book a cab to get home, and with night charges kicking in, the fare was much higher than usual. It was frustrating to pay extra for a journey that should have been straightforward by metro and e-rickshaw. Commuters are being forced to bear the additional cost and inconvenience despite having planned their journeys around the metro network,” said Sandeep Arora, a Pitampura resident.With metro exits at key locations unavailable, commuters faced the prospect of longer road journeys at a time when transport options were already limited. The need to book cabs or hire autos for distances that would otherwise have been covered by the metro added to their financial burden. Cab fares and auto charges also rose amid the disruption, making the journey home considerably more expensive for passengers.The restrictions were particularly inconvenient for those travelling late in the evening, when finding an alternative route or arranging last-mile transport can be more difficult. Passengers who had expected to alight at stations close to their homes or workplaces were forced to reassess their travel plans at short notice.The affected stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Dilli Haat-INA, Hauz Khas, Jor Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Jangpura and Ashram, among others. Several stations on the Red, Yellow, Blue, Violet, Pink and other corridors also feature on the revised list.
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