Commuters at Delhi’s Jafarabad Metro Station experienced panic on Thursday evening, March 26, 2026, when a kite string caused a significant disturbance. At approximately 6:05 PM, a kite string became entangled in the high-voltage overhead power cables, leading to loud blast-like sounds, minor sparking, and a brief fire. This unexpected incident prompted a precautionary evacuation of the metro, though fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all passengers remained safe.
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What Caused the Incident at Jafarabad Metro?
The disturbance at Jafarabad Metro Station was traced to a kite string, commonly known as ‘manja’. This string got caught between two high-voltage overhead power cables of the Delhi Metro line. The entanglement resulted in a “pantograph flashing” event, producing loud noises similar to an explosion, along with minor sparks and a small fire. Reports suggested some children were flying kites nearby the metro line at the time.
Official Response and Safety Advisory Issued
Following the incident, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) clarified that there was no explosion, but rather a “pantograph flashing” caused by the kite thread. Teams from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Delhi Police quickly responded, initiating evacuation procedures as a safety measure. Authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control swiftly, ruling out any foul play. DMRC has since advised the public to avoid flying kites near high-voltage metro lines to prevent such operational disruptions and potential hazards, emphasizing the risks, especially from kite strings coated with glass or synthetic materials.