Delhi Metro has imposed security-related access restrictions 100 times in 2026, the highest count recorded in the past decade. According to an analysis of DMRC public advisories by NDTV, this figure eclipses the previous peak of 70 restrictions logged in 2021. The data counts every instance of full station closures, partial closures, or entry/exit bans, excluding the pandemic-related curbs of 2020.
It wasn't about more days. Restrictions were announced on just 11 days in 2026, the same number as 2021 and far fewer than the 20 days in 2019. Instead, the volume spiked because security measures hit a wider net of stations simultaneously. The most dramatic example was the October 10 protest response, where authorities partially restricted entry and exit at 45 stations in a single day.
Central Delhi bears the brunt. Central Secretariat station recorded 37 restriction instances between 2017 and 2026, accounting for 8.5% of all restrictions in that period. Udyog Bhawan (23), Patel Chowk (22), Lok Kalyan Marg (19), and Rajiv Chowk (18) follow closely. These locations cluster around the Parliament, Central Vista, and government offices—zones that frequently trigger heightened security protocols.
The human cost is visible in the ridership numbers. In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on October 14, DMRC stated that only 32 lakh passengers used the network on October 10, compared to a typical second Saturday average of 58 lakh. Despite the curbs, the agency operated all 4,157 planned trips, keeping over 85% of stations fully functional.
With the year's count already at 100, 2026 stands as the most restriction-heavy year for the metro since 2017. As protest activity continues to shape security decisions, the pattern suggests a permanent shift toward multi-station closures during high-alert periods.