Providing relief to commuters, Delhi Police has revoked its order from September 2, which stated that some metro station gates that open towards the VVIP route or venue of Summit will be closed from September 8 to 10. As per Delhi Police, train services will be available at all stations except Supreme Court Station, where the services will be affected. However, there may be temporary gate closures of 10-15 minutes at some stations due to VIP movements and security restrictions.
In a communication to the chief security officer of the Delhi Metro on Monday, police said they are withdrawing their request on "administrative grounds". “The request letter for the Closure of Gates of 39 Metro Stations which was made vide this office letter No. 2488/G-20 Cell/Metro, dated 02.09.2023 is hereby withdrawn administrative grounds,” read another letter sent by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Metro) G Ram Gopal Naik, to the Chief Security Commissioner of Delhi Metro.
In its first letter sent to the Delhi on Saturday, the Delhi Police said that the gates of more than 20 metro stations, including three of Khan Market, two of Moti Bagh and five of ITO, are "required" to be closed to strengthen the security matrix from September 8 to September 10.
"As you are aware that the G20 Summit-2023 is around the corner and we are making all possible efforts to enhance the security matrix. Hence, in order to maintain foolproof security arrangements during the upcoming summit, it is required to ensure that the gate numbers of metro stations that open towards the VVIPs route/venue of summit/place of stay may be closed from September 8 to 10," the letter stated.
It also stated that if any gate-closing request is received from any deputy commissioners of police or the police headquarters or if circumstances warrant, the Delhi Metro shall be informed immediately at a short notice.
This has the approval of the "special commissioner of police/vigilance and the public transport safety division, Delhi", the letter stated.
However, in a letter to the Delhi Metros chief security commissioner on Monday, the Delhi Police said the request letter for the closure of gates of 39 metro stations which was made vide this office on Saturday is hereby withdrawn on "administrative grounds".
