Red Fort to reopen for visitors on November 16, five days after deadly blast

Red Fort

Five days after a powerful explosion near the Red Fort killed 13 people, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced that the historic monument will reopen to visitors from November 16.

The ASI’s decision comes amid a gradual easing of the security restrictions that were imposed following Monday’s blast, which occurred close to Gate 1 of the Lal Quila metro station, adjacent to the Red Fort complex.

Earlier on Saturday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also restored partial access at the affected station, reopening Gates 2 and 3 that had been sealed as a precautionary step soon after the explosion.

In a post on X, the DMRC said, “The Red Fort metro station's gate numbers 2 and 3 are now open for commuters, restoring partial access that had been suspended as part of security measures following the incident.”

The blast had led to an immediate lockdown of the surrounding zone, with security forces cordoning off the area, conducting thorough inspections and restricting public movement. The ASI closed the monument to tourists on November 11 as multiple agencies launched an extensive probe into the attack.

The explosion, which took place on Monday evening, claimed 13 lives and injured several others. The impact of the blast, suspected to have originated from a car, set multiple nearby vehicles ablaze and sent shockwaves through one of Delhi’s busiest corridors.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik described the emergency response, saying, “We got information that there was a blast in a car near Chandni Chowk Metro Station. We responded immediately, and seven units were sent to the spot. At 7:29 pm, the fire was brought under control. There is a possibility that there are casualties in this. All our teams are present at the spot.”

With metro access restored and the Red Fort set to reopen, authorities are now aiming to return the area to normalcy, even as investigations into the deadly explosion continue.