Red Fort blast: 8 lakh drop in Metro ridership

A day after the blast near the Red Fort, Delhi Metro witnessed a sharp drop in ridership, with official data showing around 8 lakh fewer commuters.

While 78.9 lakh passengers travelled on Monday, the number fell to 70.9 lakh on Tuesday, even as the Lal Quila Metro station remained closed for the second consecutive day.

According to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the total footfall on Monday stood at 78,98,602, while on Tuesday it dropped to 70,97,496. The gap of around 8 lakh commuters marks a noticeable decline between the first two working days of the week. However, on the ground, the scene across most stations appeared normal. Long queues could be seen at frisking points and ticket counters as commuters went about their usual travel. At busy interchange hubs like Rajiv Chowk and along the Yellow Line, the crowds remained almost unchanged from any regular weekday.

Still, some commuters admitted to feeling uneasy in the aftermath of the incident. Rashmi, a college student who travels daily from Laxmi Nagar to Vishwavidyalaya, said, “My exams are near and my attendance is already poor, so I have to go to college daily. I believe in our security and administration, and I trust they will get to the bottom of the attack, so I didn’t hesitate to travel.”

On the Violet Line, trains continued to pass slowly through the closed Lal Quila station, with minor delays reported around Kashmere Gate. “The train slowed down while crossing Lal Quila. There was a sense of fear among passengers, but otherwise the rush felt normal,” said Sumit, a frequent traveller.

For some, the closure brought inconvenience. “The closure of the Lal Quila Metro Station is necessary for security reasons, but due to this, we had to deboard at Jama Masjid or Chandni Chowk to reach the Old Delhi markets,” said Riya, who was out shopping with her mother. Officials said the Lal Quila Metro station is expected to remain closed on Thursday as well, as security agencies continue their investigation into the blast.