New Delhi, January 24 — As the nation gears up to mark the 77th Republic Day, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has announced special operating hours on January 26 to facilitate smooth movement of commuters heading towards Kartavya Path and other Republic Day venues.
In an official statement issued on Friday, the DMRC said that metro services on all lines will commence at 3 am on Monday. Trains will run at a frequency of 15 minutes between 3 am and 6 am, following which the normal daily schedule will come into effect for the rest of the day.
The decision has been taken to ensure hassle-free travel for citizens, officials, security personnel and invited guests attending the Republic Day celebrations. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance, particularly during the early morning hours, to avoid crowding.
The DMRC also confirmed that parking facilities at all metro stations will remain open throughout the day, enabling commuters to park their vehicles and use metro services conveniently.
The Republic Day programme will begin at 9:30 am with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying homage at the National War Memorial. The ceremonial parade at Kartavya Path is scheduled to start at 10:30 am.
This year’s celebrations are themed ‘150 Years of Vande Mataram’, marking the legacy of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s iconic national song. The theme will be reflected across the parade route through visual installations and artistic representations depicting the song’s verses.
A total of 30 tableaux will be showcased at Kartavya Path, focusing on the sub-themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra – Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra – Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The cultural presentations include music composed by MM Keeravani, lyrics penned by Subhash Sehgal, narration by actor Anupam Kher and choreography by Santosh Nair, under the overall guidance of Dr Sandhya Purecha. Performances by bands from the Tri-Services and Central Armed Police Forces will also be a key highlight, with special attention given to Chattopadhyay’s ancestral home in West Bengal.
