From correspondents in Delhi, India, 05:31 PM IST

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Monday stopped rail operations between Delhi University and Kashmere Gate fearing damage to property in the wake of the three-day traders strike in the capital.

According to DMRC, the four-kilometre stretch comprising Vishwavidyalaya, Vidhan Sabha, Civil Lines and Kashmere Gate stations in line two, were closed since 8 a.m. Monday.

'We are not running trains in these four stations fearing damage to property. We want safety for both our property and commuters,' said Anuj Dayal, chief spokesperson of Delhi Metro.

'We will resume services only after a go ahead from the police,' Dayal told IANS, adding nearly 25,000 commuters avail of the service every day.

However, he did not give details of the revenue loss the metro will incur due to the halt in operations.

Hundreds of thousands of shops across the Indian capital were closed Monday to mark the start of a crippling three-day strike to protest the sealing of unauthorised commercial establishments in residential areas.

Dayal said during the Sep 20 traders' protest, Delhi Metro had suffered a loss of nearly Rs.1.6 million when protesters stoned moving trains. Four people were killed in the protest in Seelampur in East Delhi on that day.

Delhi Metro has currently 60 trains, each comprising four coaches and plying in its nearly 65-km network. About 475,000 people use the sleek and world-class transport system every day.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)