Red Fort Blast: Why Lal Qila Metro Station Holds Major Strategic Importance
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): On Monday evening, a massive car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort shocked the national capital. The blast occurred close to Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station, resulting in the deaths of eight people. The incident caused chaos in the area as several vehicles caught fire. Delhi Police’s special teams and forensic experts rushed to the spot to investigate the cause of the explosion.
The Delhi Fire Department confirmed receiving information about a car explosion near the metro station gate. The fire was so intense that it spread rapidly to three or four nearby vehicles, causing extensive damage.
Blast at One of Delhi’s Busiest Transit Hubs
The explosion took place in one of Delhi’s busiest and most crucial areas. The Lal Qila Metro Station lies on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro network and serves as a major transit point for people visiting the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. It is among the most crowded metro stations in the capital.
On November 18, 2024, the Delhi Metro set a record with 78.67 lakh passengers in a single day. Estimates suggest that around 90,000 passengers use the Violet Line section near Lal Qila daily. Although the Red Fort remains closed to tourists on Mondays, the metro station operates as usual. During the evening rush hour, the area witnesses heavy commuter and local footfall.
Surrounded by Key Landmarks and Religious Sites
The blast occurred in one of Delhi’s most sensitive and strategically significant zones. The Lal Qila Metro Station serves as the main gateway to the historic Red Fort and is surrounded by major religious and tourist landmarks such as Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, and Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib.
Additionally, the area houses the bustling Surgical Market and one of India’s largest electronics markets, which draw thousands of shoppers daily. The station connects crucial junctions like Kashmere Gate and Delhi Gate via the Violet Line and also serves as a hub for several major DTC bus routes (including 114ST+901, 214, and 261). This dense connectivity and constant public movement make it a highly sensitive location from a security standpoint.