NEW DELHI (Rajeev Sharma): Commuters received long-awaited relief on Sunday as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reopened all gates of the Lal Quila Metro Station, restoring normal movement nearly a week after the hub was shut in the wake of the car blast near the Red Fort.
In an update posted on X, the DMRC announced that the station is now “fully accessible,” ending the staggered restrictions that had been in place since the November 10 explosion that left 12 dead and several injured.
On Saturday, the metro authority had partially eased the lockdown by reopening Gates 2 and 3, allowing limited entry and exit. These were among the gates sealed after security agencies advised a complete closure of the station, which sits at a key junction for travelers heading to heritage sites and Old Delhi markets.
The decision to shut the station earlier had disrupted daily travel for scores of residents, shop owners, and tourists, as Lal Quila station is a major stop on the Violet Line, offering connectivity to the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and surrounding areas.
The full reopening coincides with a deepening investigation into the blast. Officials have obtained CCTV footage showing the main suspect, Dr. Umar Un Nabi, driving into Delhi through the Badarpur border in an i20. The clip shows him halting at a toll plaza, paying in cash, and continuing toward the city. Despite wearing a mask, investigators noted that his face was clearly distinguishable, and a large bag was visible on the car’s backseat.
Forensic teams earlier confirmed Umar as the suicide attacker after a DNA match with his mother.
While metro operations have returned to normal, security personnel continue to maintain heightened vigilance around the Red Fort and nearby transit points as the probe advances.
