Flying kites near Lucknow Metro track is a serious offence and Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) is taking stringent steps to prevent such activities. A special campaign was launched on Wednesday in the Alamnagar-Alambagh area to raise awareness.

Notably, flying kites near metro tracks is a punishable offence u/s 78 and 82 of Metro Railway Act 2017. Offenders could face up to 10 years in prison and arrest without a warrant.

For some time now, the metro administration has been warning citizens about the dangers of kite-flying near metro tracks. Repeated incidents of kites getting caught on the tracks along the Lucknow Metro’s North-South Corridor (from Munshipulia to CCS Airport) have disrupted services, causing delays.

The real danger comes from kites flown with Chinese and metallic manjha, which can easily become entangled in the metro’s overhead electric wire (OHE) lines. These high-voltage wires carry 25,000 volts, and if the manjha gets caught, it could result in a fatal electric shock.

Aside from the risk to metro operations, Chinese manjha poses a severe hazard to pedestrians, birds, and animals. It can cause deep cuts to the neck and eyes, leading to serious injuries.