Independence Day 2024 Delhi Metro Advisory: Avoid Flying Kites Near These Metro Lines

The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) issued a comprehensive kite flying advisory, urging residents to exercise caution and avoid flying kites near metro lines, particularly in residential areas, on Sunday.

This advisory comes in anticipation of the Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan celebrations, where kite flying is a cherished tradition in the Delhi-NCR region.

Independence Day 2024 Delhi Metro Advisory

The advisory highlights the significant safety concerns associated with kite flying near the metro system. The DMRC operates an extensive network of nearly 400 kilometers across Delhi-NCR, with a substantial portion elevated and powered by 25,000-volt Over Head Equipment (OHE) wires. These high-voltage wires run parallel to the metro tracks and are essential for powering the trains.

The primary risk identified by the DMRC is the potential entanglement of kite strings in the OHE wires. Kite strings, especially those coated with metallic substances known as "maanjha," can cause severe hazards if they become entangled in the live OHE wires. Such incidents can disrupt metro services by damaging or tripping the OHE, or by interfering with the pantographs-devices that draw power from the OHE and are crucial for the operation of the trains.

If kite strings get caught in the pantographs of moving trains, it could lead to significant disruptions in metro services, potentially resulting in delays and safety issues. Additionally, the entanglement of kite strings in the OHE wires poses a serious risk to the safety of kite flyers, particularly those using metallic maanjha, which can cause electrical hazards and even result in fatal accidents.

To address these risks, the DMRC has implemented a proactive strategy. The corporation plans to deploy dedicated teams at "kite-prone" stations to monitor and swiftly address any kite strings that may pose a threat to the metro system. These teams will work to remove kite strings from the OHE wires to prevent accidents and ensure the smooth operation of metro services.

The DMRC's advisory is part of its broader efforts to ensure passenger safety and maintain the reliability of metro services during the festive season. As kite flying is expected to increase around August 15th, the DMRC's measures aim to mitigate potential hazards and ensure that the celebrations can proceed safely for everyone involved.