Delhi braces for heightened security and travel disruptions on October 10 as authorities impose restrictions in key areas amid a planned protest

New Delhi: Delhi is preparing for heightened security on Saturday, October 10, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), student organisations and supporting groups plan to protest at Jantar Mantar. The protesters want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police have denied permission for the gathering and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163.

Delhi has no official city-wide bandh. Most parts of the capital will continue to function, but security restrictions, traffic diversions and transport disruptions may affect central Delhi and nearby areas. Here is a complete guide to the services that will remain open, the facilities that will close and the restrictions residents, daily commuters, travellers and visitors should know about.

Banks and Banking Services – Closed

October 10, 2026, falls on the second Saturday of the month. Reserve Bank of India rules require all scheduled commercial banks, including SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda, to close their branches on the second and fourth Saturdays.

• Bank branches across Delhi will remain closed.
• ATMs will continue to dispense cash, depending on cash availability.
• Digital banking, UPI, net banking and mobile banking apps will continue to work normally.
• NEFT and RTGS services will remain available according to their applicable holiday arrangements.
• Authorities have not announced any separate bank holiday because of the protest. The regular second-Saturday holiday will apply.

People who need to deposit or withdraw large amounts of cash or complete other branch-related work should visit their banks today, Friday, or wait until Monday, October 12.

Retail Liquor Shops – Completely Closed

The Delhi Excise Department has ordered retail liquor shops operating under licences L-6, L-6FG, L-8, L-10 and related categories to remain closed on October 9 and 10. The order covers shops selling Indian-made foreign liquor, country liquor and beer, including outlets in malls.

What will remain open?

Licensed hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs with valid licences to serve alcohol on their premises can continue serving drinks.

People who want to buy liquor for home consumption should make their purchases today, subject to applicable rules. Authorities have introduced the dry-day restrictions as a preventive public-order measure based on information received from Delhi Police about the protest.

Delhi Metro – Entry and Exit Gates Closed at 57 Stations

Delhi Police have requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to close the entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations from 9 pm on Friday, October 9, until the situation returns to normal on October 10. The authorities may also reduce train frequency through the affected stations.

Metro trains may continue to pass through some of these stations, but passengers will not be able to board or get off at stations where the authorities close the gates.

Complete list of affected stations, grouped by area:

Central Delhi and interchange stations: Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Seva Teerth (Udyog Bhawan), Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, R.K. Ashram Marg and Jhandewalan.

South and central-south Delhi: Supreme Court, Indraprastha, Shivaji Stadium, INA (both lines), Hauz Khas, Jor Bagh, Arjangarh, Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin, Lajpat Nagar, Jangpura, Ashram, Kalindi Kunj and Jasola.

East, north and north-east Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia, Okhla Vihar, Chawri Bazar, Jama Masjid, Karol Bagh, Rajendra Place, Vishwavidyalaya, Vidhan Sabha, Civil Lines, Kashmere Gate, Inderlok, GTB Nagar, Kanhaiya Nagar, Netaji Subhash Place, Azadpur, Adarsh Nagar, Jahangir Puri, Haiderpur Badli Mor, Majlis Park, Shalimar Bagh, Seelampur, Maujpur, Jafrabad, Welcome, Yamuna Vihar, Shahdara, Rithala, Rohini East, Rohini West and related stations.

Passengers should check the official DMRC app or its Twitter/X account for the latest updates before starting their journeys. Commuters should plan alternative routes and consider using other forms of transport where necessary.

Indian Railways – Major Train Cancellations

Railway authorities have cancelled all Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10. The cancellations also cover trains that departed after 2 pm on October 9 and were scheduled to arrive at either station during this period.

Authorities have cited the possibility of severe road congestion around the two railway stations as the reason for these cancellations.

Passengers should check IRCTC, the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or the railway helpline before travelling.

Other stations, including Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Delhi Cantt, may continue to operate. Passengers should check the status of their specific trains before choosing an alternative station.

Schools, Colleges and Universities

Authorities have not issued a general holiday order for schools and colleges across Delhi for October 10 because of the protest.

• Most government and private schools are expected to function normally. However, some schools in central Delhi may issue separate advisories or allow students to leave early if traffic conditions worsen.
• Universities and colleges, especially those near the protest area or with large student populations, have received police communications. Attendance may fall, and some institutions may move classes online or advise students to avoid central Delhi.
• Students and parents should check their institution’s official notices and WhatsApp groups for the latest information.

Government Offices and Private Workplaces

The government has not declared a blanket holiday for government offices. Central and Delhi government offices are scheduled to remain open, but employees travelling through restricted areas should prepare for delays.

Private offices, IT parks, corporate offices and factories outside the immediate barricaded areas will continue to function normally. However, some companies may allow employees to work from home or follow flexible working hours if transport disruptions make commuting difficult.

Essential government services and emergency departments will continue to operate as usual.

Markets, Malls and Shops

Delhi has no official market bandh.

• Local markets, grocery stores, vegetable markets and most commercial establishments across the city will remain open.
• Large malls and shopping complexes outside central Delhi are expected to operate normally.
• Shops in Connaught Place, Janpath, Karol Bagh and areas near Jantar Mantar may receive fewer customers or face temporary restrictions because of barricades and police deployment.
• Online grocery and delivery platforms, including BigBasket, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon and Swiggy Instamart, are expected to continue operating. However, deliveries may take longer in central Delhi.

Shoppers should check local traffic restrictions before visiting markets in the affected areas.

Petrol Pumps, CNG Stations and Fuel Services

Authorities have not ordered petrol pumps or CNG stations to close. Fuel stations across Delhi will remain open.

However, heavy traffic, barricades and temporary road restrictions may cause queues or make some stations difficult to reach. People planning to travel through central Delhi should refuel in advance to avoid unnecessary delays.

Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmacies and Emergency Services

Hospitals, emergency wards, ambulance services, blood banks and most pharmacies will continue to operate.

Medical emergencies will receive priority. People who need to reach hospitals in central Delhi should keep police helpline numbers handy and use designated emergency corridors if authorities announce them.

Routine outpatient department (OPD) appointments at hospitals and clinics in central locations may face delays because of traffic restrictions. Patients who can do so should consider teleconsultations.

Hotels, Guest Houses and Paying Guest Accommodation

Police have advised hotels, guest houses and paying guest (PG) accommodations in and around central Delhi, particularly in Paharganj, Connaught Place and nearby areas, to restrict fresh bookings or exercise caution.

Existing guests may also face movement restrictions near barricades and security checkpoints.

Airport hotels and properties outside the New Delhi district are expected to face fewer disruptions.

Airports, Buses, Autos, Taxis and App-Based Cabs

• Indira Gandhi International Airport: Airport operations will continue normally. However, travellers should allow extra time to reach or leave the airport because traffic diversions may cause delays.
• Interstate and DTC buses: Buses will continue to operate, but authorities may divert routes that pass through central Delhi.
• Autos, taxis and app-based cabs: Uber, Ola, Rapido and other services are expected to remain available. However, passengers may face higher fares, longer waiting times and difficulty finding rides in restricted areas. Drivers may also refuse short trips into heavily barricaded zones.

Passengers should check road conditions and transport updates before leaving home, particularly if they have flights or train connections to catch.

Post Offices, Courier Services and Other Facilities

India Post branches will follow their regular Saturday schedules. Many branches operate for limited hours or close early on Saturdays. Authorities have not announced any special post office closure because of the protest.

Private courier companies will continue to operate, although deliveries and collections may face delays in central Delhi.

Parks, monuments and tourist attractions near Jantar Mantar, India Gate and Rajpath may face restricted access or temporary closures because of security arrangements.

Security Deployment and Traffic Conditions

Authorities have deployed more than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel, including over 200 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), to manage the security situation.

Police have installed multiple layers of barricades along roads leading to Jantar Mantar, Tolstoy Marg, Janpath and Parliament. Security personnel are also conducting additional checks at Delhi’s entry points.

Traffic in central Delhi is expected to move slowly, and authorities may divert vehicles throughout the day. Even people who have no connection to the protest may experience delays while travelling through the capital.

Residents should allow extra travel time and avoid the New Delhi district wherever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delhi observing a bandh tomorrow?

No official city-wide bandh has been announced. However, authorities have imposed specific restrictions affecting liquor shops, Metro station gates, certain trains and movement in central Delhi.

Will ATMs remain open?

Yes. ATMs will continue to provide cash, subject to availability, even though bank branches will remain closed for the regular second-Saturday holiday.

Can I go to the office or school?

Most offices and educational institutions are expected to function normally. However, individual institutions may issue separate instructions. Check with your employer or school and prepare for travel delays.

Will hospitals remain open?

Yes. Hospitals, emergency wards and ambulance services will continue to operate. Patients travelling to central Delhi should account for traffic restrictions.

Will online food and grocery deliveries continue?

Delivery services are expected to operate across Delhi, but customers may experience longer delivery times in and around the protest area.

Should I cancel my travel plans?

Consider postponing non-essential trips to central Delhi. Airport operations and services in outer areas are expected to continue, but travellers should allow extra time for road journeys and check transport updates before leaving.

Final Advice

Residents and visitors should follow official updates from Delhi Police, the DMRC app and its Twitter/X account, Indian Railways, the Delhi Excise Department and their local police stations. Do not rely solely on unverified social media posts for information about closures or restrictions.

Carry valid identity documents when travelling through security checkpoints. Keep emergency numbers, including 100 and 112, handy. If you must travel through affected areas, leave early, use alternative routes and cooperate with security personnel.

October 10 will not bring Delhi to a complete standstill, but security restrictions and transport disruptions may significantly affect daily movement, particularly in the heart of the capital. Plan your journeys in advance, stay updated and prioritise safety.