Delhi Metro’s efforts reduce kite-related OHE trippings

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has reported a sharp decline in overhead equipment (OHE) trippings caused by kite flying during the Independence Day and Janmashtami festivities, ensuring smooth metro operations across the network.

Traditionally, kite strings — especially metallic-coated manjha — getting entangled with overhead wires have been the leading cause of disruptions during this period. With Independence Day and Janmashtami being peak occasions for kite flying in Delhi-NCR, the risk of such incidents usually rises significantly.

To address this, “DMRC has established a dedicated response system to manage such incidents. Maintenance teams comprising of 5-7 members are deployed across all lines during these occasions, which immediately rush to any affected location to remove entangled strings, ensuring restoration and maintaining punctuality of Metro services.”

The Traction Operation & Maintenance (O&M) team has also implemented several preventive measures. “The installation of insulation sleeves on catenary wires at elevated stations with heavy bird and kite activity to prevent short circuits from tangled strings. So far, sleeves have been installed at 20 elevated stations — 11 on Line-1, 6 on Lines 3 & 4, 2 on Line-6, and 1 on Line-2 — with further coverage provided beneath portal structures and cantilever locations in Phase-III stations.”

The OHE has been modified to increase clearance between live and earthed wires at key points by using extra insulators, while return conductors have been shifted to minimise the risk of contact with live wires. Regular inspection and maintenance have also been strengthened, with catenary maintenance vehicles (CMVs) deployed during non-operational hours to promptly remove kite threads and other foreign objects. With these measures in place, OHE tripping incidents during the August festive season have reduced drastically over the years — from 102 in 2021 to 90 in 2022, 33 in 2023, 23 in 2024 and just 11 in 2025.

Additionally, “DMRC has also run awareness campaign advising public to refrain from kite flying near Metro 25,000 Volt OHE wires as it may prove dangerous/fatal. The public has also cooperated proactively thereby resulting in minimal cases of trippings being reported this year.”