The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday said services will begin at 4.30 a.m. on August 15 on the Violet Line to facilitate movement of people who wish to attend Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Lal Quila on the Violet Line is nearest station to the Red Fort.
“The first passenger service will start from Escorts Mujesar at 4.30 a.m. and trains will be available at a frequency of 15 minutes till 6 a.m., and then services will resume as per normal timetable,” the statement said.
However, entry/exit at four stations of Line-6 (Kashmere Gate to Escorts Mujesar) — Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and ITO — will be permitted from select entry/exit gates during the function.
“Additional ticket counters will be opened at Lal Quila and Jama Masjid metro stations to facilitate people, along with deployment of additional staff for guiding people due to rush after the event,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, traffic restrictions will be in place for the Independence Day celebrations here, an advisory issued by the Delhi Police stated.
Traffic restrictions
“Elaborate traffic arrangements around the Red Fort have been made in connection with the celebrations. Traffic police will be deployed to facilitate movement of VIP vehicles, invitees and general public to reach the function venue and also to ensure safe and smooth flow of traffic in other parts of the city,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar.
Half a dozen roads will remain closed from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and traffic will be rerouted onto other roads.
Roads on which restrictions will apply are Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail, Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail, S.P. Mukherjee Marg from H.C. Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk, Chandni Chowk Road from Fountain Chowk to Red Fort, Nishad Raj Marg from Ring Road to Netaji Subhash Marg and Esplanade Road and its link road to Netaji Subhash Marg will be closed. The police said vehicles which do not have parking labels for the celebrations should avoid Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Subhash Marg, J.L. Nehru Marg and Ring Road between Nizamuddin bridge and ISBT bridge.