5 days after blast, 2 entry gates reopen at Lal Quila Metro station

Five days after the deadly blast near the Red Fort, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday reopened two entry gates at the Lal Quila Metro station, allowing partial access for commuters.

In a post on X, the DMRC said, “Gate numbers 2 and 3 at the Lal Quila Metro station are now open for commuters, restoring partial access that had been suspended as part of the security measures following the incident.” The station was shut soon after the explosion on Monday evening.

On Saturday morning, Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel in blue camouflage uniform stood along the road outside the station, monitoring movement. Traffic passed normally at the junction, while pedestrians walked through marked sections of the footpath. Puddles of water suggested fresh clean-up work.

At gate no. 1, which is closer to the blast site, damage was still visible. Glass panels of the Metro station were shattered and pieces of clothing hung from nearby branches. Torn billboards around the spot indicated the direction and impact of the explosion.

While the road had been cleared and traffic movement had resumed, the area retained visible signs of the incident and kept inviting stares from visitors, some even gathering to capture videos and photos in their mobile phones.

According to sources, around 80 cars and several two-wheelers were left abandoned on the day of the blast as people fled in panic. Several people returned on Saturday to retrieve their vehicles.

Niranjan Paswan, who came to pick up his scooty, said he left it behind while running for safety. “I came back today to see if the vehicle was still there,” he said as he showed minor injuries that he suffered during the blast. Several other vehicles remained parked along the barricaded stretch, mostly coated with dust.

Ashok Yadav, a coolie working in the nearby Old Lajpat Rai market, recalled the moment explosion took place. “I had just gone inside to drop a jute bag when I heard a loud sound. We thought it was a tyre burst. Before anyone could say more, the police came and told us to close our shops. Everyone ran home, and I also left,” he said.

As one takes a walk from the Lal Quila Metro gate numbers 2 & 4 towards gate number 1, almost all conversations revolve around the blast. “People are still talking about it everywhere,” Yadav added.