‘Walking Is The New Commute’: Delhi Office-Goers Feel The Heat Of Jantar Mantar Protest

Last Updated:July 24, 2026, 17:45 IST

For thousands of office-goers who once relied on the Delhi Metro and cab services to reach work in the Lutyens' zone, walking has become the only option.

Jantar Mantar Protests: Students from across the country and activists of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical collective, have been protesting at Jantar Mantar and others parts of Central Delhi demanding accountability for repeated examination paper leaks and seeking resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Amidst the chaos, for thousands of office-goers in Lutyens’ Delhi, the daily commute has taken an unexpected turn. With metro stations closed, roads barricaded and ride-hailing services avoiding the area around Jantar Mantar, walking has become the most reliable way to get to work.

The ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar has led to heightened security arrangements, with Delhi Police sealing key stretches, including Parliament Street, Tolstoy Road and Jai Singh Marg. The restrictions have disrupted traffic across central Delhi, forcing commuters to navigate long detours through narrow bylanes.

“Since the metro is shut and police personnel are present in the area, even ride-hailing services are reluctant to accept rides here," a working professional said as quoted by news agency PTI.

For many, what was once a quick metro ride has turned into a daily trek. One commuter said he had to walk nearly 2.2 kilometres from his office to Mandi House Metro station before finding an auto-rickshaw.

“Yesterday I had to walk till Mandi House metro station, which is 2.2 km from my office. From there I took an auto. It took me an hour and 45 minutes to reach Anand Vihar," he said, describing a commute that would ordinarily take half of that time by metro.

The shutdown of metro stations around Connaught Place has made commuting towards east Delhi especially difficult, another office-goer said.

The disruption is not limited to civilians. Commuters said even police personnel posted for duty are having to walk long stretches through bylanes to reach their postings, as the area remains under what many described as a complete traffic lockdown.

Adding to commuters’ woes, internet services have remained suspended in parts of the area since clashes between protesters and police on July 20. Several office-goers said they were unable to check live traffic updates or book cabs while already on foot.

Many employees have now started leaving home earlier, carrying more comfortable footwear and factoring in extra walking time as part of their daily routine — an unforeseen consequence of a protest unfolding just metres away from their workplaces.

Metro stations around Connaught Place have remained closed for the fourth consecutive day, in line with advisories issued by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Additionally, the New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) on Thursday advised all shops, offices and restaurants in Connaught Place area to shut by 6:30 pm as a precautionary measure.

In an advisory, the trade body has said that the decision was taken following telephonic advice from the NDMC Chairman and Vice Chairman in view of the “critical situation" around Connaught Place.

In the circular, the NDTA asked all shop owners and office establishments in the area to close for the day by 6:30 pm and urged them to ensure strict compliance “to avoid any unpleasant situation and save yourself from any loss of property and injury."

Meanwhile, the Public Transport Forum (PTF), a citizen-led transport initiative, has expressed concern over the prolonged disruption, urging authorities to ensure public safety without bringing public transport services to a standstill.

For now, in the heart of the national capital, the morning rush is no longer defined by crowded metro coaches or packed cabs, but by streams of office-goers walking kilometres to reach their desks.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More

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