SC tells govt to reconsider Delhi Metro, roads closures: ‘Don’t use a hammer to kill a fly’

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the government to take corrective steps on the proposed closure of entry gates at Delhi Metro stations and roads surrounding the national capital on October 10, saying restrictions must take into account the difficulties faced by commuters travelling to the Delhi from the National Capital Region (NCR).

Expressing concern over the impact on hundreds of thousands of commuters, including students, employees and senior citizens coming from Gurugram, Greater Noida and other parts of the NCR, the court said authorities could regulate movement to maintain public order but should avoid measures that bring transport to a complete halt.

The Supreme Court, in its hearing said, there should be "free flow" of traffic and ordered to revisit the closure of roads.


Also Read: Delhi Metro to shut gates at 57 stations due to protests; Railways cancels trains to NDLS and Hazrat Nizamuddin

“Everybody does not have a car… You cannot bring everything to a halt and leave people without any transport facility,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) said.

The court said that its concern was not about the protesters expected on Saturday but about commuters who travel to Delhi for their livelihood. “Our concern isn't with respect to protesters, but is about commuters from NCR who come to Delhi for livelihood,” it said.

“One should not use hammer to kill fly,” the Supreme Court observed while questioning the proposed closure of metro station entry gates ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest scheduled for October 10.

Also Read: Indian Railways cancels all Mail and Express trains to New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations on October 10

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that he would consult the government on the proposed restrictions. He said the measures could be regulated and periodically reviewed depending on how the situation developed.

The court said law enforcement authorities were entitled to take regulatory measures but asked them to reconsider restrictions on roads as well. Authorities should identify areas where regulation was necessary and those where it was not, ensuring the free flow of traffic, it said.