Several trains connecting Mumbai and other cities to Delhi have been rescheduled or cancelled ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10.
Western Railway has rescheduled the Mumbai Central–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12951) and Mumbai Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express (12953) by five hours. The Bandra Terminus–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (12247) has also been cancelled.
Other cancelled services include the Dr Ambedkar Nagar–New Delhi Express (20155), Indore–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (09309), Indore–New Delhi Express (12415) and Sabarmati–New Delhi Express (12957).
The Railway Board cited anticipated severe road traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations on October 10 as the reason for the changes. Passengers have been advised to check official railway updates before beginning their journeys.
Reacting to the disruptions, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the Centre, alleging that the authorities were afraid of the youth. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, he said, “Shut down the entire country if you are scared of the youth.”
The party has called for a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CJP has alleged voter-list tampering and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner bypassed his two colleagues to alter Form 6, a key document used for voter registration. These allegations are claims made by the party.
The Delhi Police have denied permission for the demonstration, citing the late submission of the application and alleged violations during a previous protest. Authorities have also asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to close 57 metro stations from Friday night through Saturday over concerns about possible crowd movement towards sensitive locations.
The train disruptions and proposed metro closures come amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the planned demonstration. Passengers are advised to monitor official railway and Delhi Metro announcements for the latest updates.
