Delhi mobile internet shutdown disrupts payments and delivery work

A mobile internet shutdown in central Delhi on October 10 disrupted digital payments, navigation and delivery work. The Hindu reported that access had been restored in at least some affected areas by Saturday evening.

The shutdown began at 10 p.m. on October 9 within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path intersection. It accompanied restrictions ahead of a protest at Jantar Mantar. NDTV and The Times of India also reported the terms of the order.

The Hindu observed that payments largely stopped where Wi-Fi was unavailable. Drivers and delivery workers could not receive orders or resume work after travelling through the affected area. Protesters also struggled to send photographs and videos to relatives.

Google Maps displayed lengthy detours as information about traffic and removed restrictions was slow to update. The newspaper also noted differences between telecom operators, with some customers retaining access until the afternoon.

The Internet Freedom Foundation criticised the shutdown and the absence of a published order. It said the communication was marked top secret despite a publication requirement. That was the foundation's position, while the partial restoration of access did not establish that all restrictions had ended.