Delhi Metro warns against kite flying near elevated lines before August 15

Kite strings caught in Delhi Metro’s overhead power wires can disrupt train services and create a risk of electrocution for people flying them, DMRC has warned before Independence Day.

The operator asked residents to keep kites away from elevated Metro corridors, where overhead equipment runs alongside tracks to power trains. DMRC said the live wires carry around 25,000 volts across its 416-km elevated network.

Kite flying typically increases around August 15 across Delhi NCR. DMRC said strings, particularly metallic manjha, can become entangled in the equipment, creating an electrocution risk and potentially disrupting services.

DMRC said it has deployed dedicated teams near stations where kite activity is common to remove snagged strings quickly. Train operators and station staff have also been asked to remain alert.

Separately, Delhi Police said they recovered about 1,398 reels of banned Chinese kite string from a car in west Delhi. Police said they arrested three people and seized the vehicle used to transport the reels.