October 10, 2026 — Police sealed off central New Delhi on Saturday to block an unauthorized protest at Jantar Mantar, closing dozens of metro stations, suspending mobile internet around the site and detaining thousands of people. Indira Gandhi International Airport stayed open. Opposition parties have flagged another march in the capital for Monday, October 12.
This updates our October 9 story on the train cancellations ahead of the protest.
What happened Saturday
- The protest. The Cockroach Janta Party called the rally to demand the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner. Police had refused permission.
- Detentions. Counts vary. The Press Trust of India, citing police sources, put the number at about 1,000 in the afternoon and about 3,000 later. Outlook India cited The Hindu’s figure of about 5,000 by 2 pm. Several senior opposition politicians were among those held.
- Metro. Entry and exit were closed at 45 stations in central Delhi from 9 pm Friday; one report says 57. The closure was first set to end at 6 pm Saturday, then extended to 10 pm “then review.” Reopening was not confirmed when we checked.
- Mobile internet. Suspended within about 4 km of Jantar Mantar. Reports differ on the hours; Outlook India says until 10 pm Saturday. Restoration: not confirmed.
- Trains. Trains due into New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm Saturday were cancelled at origin, along with some return services. The Tribune counts 75 trains; Outlook India says at least 245. An official resumption time was not found: TBA.
- Roads and hotels. Connaught Place was shut, with barricades and diversions at about 30 points. Hotels and guest houses in central Delhi were asked to stay closed or limit new bookings. Prohibitory orders against gatherings are in force in New Delhi district.
- Airport. Delhi Airport stayed open with tighter security at Terminal 3. Its advisory told passengers to allow extra time and “consider available alternative modes of transport.”
What comes next
| Date | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mon Oct 12 | Opposition (INDIA bloc) march in Delhi | Flagged by party leaders. Time and route: TBA. |
| Through Oct 12 | About 23,000 central paramilitary personnel deployed in Delhi | In place |
| Oct 10–20 | Prohibitory orders in Noida and Greater Noida | In force |
| General strike (bandh) | None called | No date found |
What it means for airline travelers
- Flying through Delhi: the airport is working, but getting to and from it is the problem. Allow at least an extra hour, and check whether your metro station is open before you rely on it.
- Staying in central Delhi (Connaught Place, Janpath, Paharganj near New Delhi station): confirm your hotel is accepting guests. Consider Aerocity or Gurugram for a layover on Monday.
- Download what you need. With mobile data cut around the protest zone, save boarding passes, hotel confirmations and offline maps, and carry some cash.
- Rail connections: check your train on the Indian Railways enquiry site before leaving for the station on Sunday and Monday. Check IRCTC for refunds on cancelled trains.
- Stay away from Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street. Police are detaining people in the area in large numbers, and getting caught up in that could cost you your flight.
- Enroll in STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad.
Sources
- Outlook India, live updates on the CJP protest, October 10
- ThePrint, Jantar Mantar protest live updates
- The Tribune, “Trains cancelled, Metro stations shut, Net off in Delhi clampdown for CJP stir”
- The Daily Jagran, “CJP Protest: 1,000 Others Detained in Delhi”
- India.com, “Delhi Airport issues travel advisory amid Jantar Mantar protest”
- The Statesman, “Delhi braces for CJP protest; Railways cancel trains to New Delhi, Nizamuddin for 10 hours”
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