45 Metro Stations Closed, Hundreds of Trains Cancelled! How Did the Protests Affect the Public?

Business activities in Delhi were disrupted due to ongoing protests and the demonstration announced for October 10. An estimated loss of ₹2,000 crore was incurred, while the public faced inconvenience and the railways suffered a loss in revenue.

For the past few days, the national capital, Delhi, has been the epicenter of protests. This has had the greatest impact on business, as most commercial activities take place in Central Delhi—the very area where the protests are occurring. Meanwhile, the public has also been facing significant difficulties. However, the announcement of a protest by the 'Cockroach Janata Party' for October 10 seemed to bring the pace of life and business in Delhi to a near standstill.

While businesses suffered a loss of ₹2,000 crore yesterday, people endured not only financial setbacks but also mental and physical distress. Additionally, the railways incurred a substantial loss in revenue.

Business Loss of ₹2,000 Crore

To begin with the impact on business: over a dozen markets in Delhi, including Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk, remained closed yesterday due to the 'Cockroach Janata Party' protest. In areas where markets did remain open, the number of shoppers was negligible compared to a typical day. This was caused by the closure of metro stations, widespread road barricading, and traffic diversions.

According to Brijesh Goyal, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry, the estimated loss to business on October 10 alone—due to the protests and announced restrictions—stands at ₹2,000 crore. Markets remained shut, petrol pumps saw no crowds, and bookings at many restaurants and salons were cancelled. People were unable to step out or reach their destinations for services and shopping. Even during the festive season—coinciding with Navratri and the commencement of Ramlila performances—markets wore a deserted look as conditions resembling a lockdown emerged in the city. Metro Commuters Faced Hurdles Reaching Destinations and Departure Stations

Commuters faced significant difficulties yesterday. Those traveling by metro had to first travel several kilometers by auto-rickshaw, cab, or bike taxi just to reach a metro station; conversely, they often had to disembark well before or far beyond their actual destinations, forcing them to rely on autos or cabs again to complete their journey. This not only wasted a considerable amount of time but also caused physical exhaustion and incurred extra travel expenses.

Train Passengers Also Faced Hardships

Train travelers also encountered major difficulties yesterday. On one hand, the cancellation of 35 Mail-Express trains from New Delhi station forced people to postpone their journeys or seek alternative modes of transport; on the other, those whose trains were not cancelled struggled immensely just to reach the station.

Auto and cab drivers took circuitous, long-distance routes to reach the station. Consequently, passengers had to pay up to ₹400 for a trip that would normally cost ₹200–₹250, resulting in significant time wastage. Their woes did not end there; when they attempted to pay fares online, suspended internet services forced those without cash to make extra trips to ATMs. Auto and cab drivers heavily exploited this predicament.

Passengers Lost ₹1 Crore; Railways Suffered a Loss of ₹12 Crore

Passengers intending to travel to or from Delhi had to either postpone their trips or opt for alternative modes of transport because the Ministry of Railways had cancelled approximately 250 trains, including Mail-Express services. This disruption affected between 250,000 and 300,000 passengers, who collectively lost between ₹75 lakh and ₹1 crore on fares for journeys they could not undertake. Even though their tickets were automatically cancelled, passengers do not get back the payment gateway and GST charges—which average between ₹30 and ₹45 per ticket—that they had originally paid.

Meanwhile, the Railways also incurred a loss of ₹12–15 crore by issuing refunds for cancelled tickets. Additionally, the Railways suffered indirect financial losses due to the salaries of loco pilots and other staff, as well as the cost of keeping rakes idle at stations. Disruptions in the operation of freight trains have also impacted the Railways' revenue.