Loud noise at Jafrabad Metro sparks panic
Panic briefly gripped commuters at Jafrabad Metro station in northeast Delhi on Thursday evening after a blast-like sound was heard on a Metro line towards Burari, officials said. No injuries or casualties were reported.
Police said they received information about the incident at around 6:05 pm. Teams from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and local police immediately rushed to the spot and began evacuating passengers as a precaution.
A senior police officer said all passengers present at the station were safely evacuated. Authorities moved quickly to secure the area and assess the situation.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the sound was caused by a kite string, or ‘manja’, getting entangled between two overhead power cables of the Metro line. This led to a minor spark and a small fire,” the officer said. According to officials, some children were flying kites in the vicinity when the string became lodged in the overhead wires. The contact between the manja and high-voltage cables triggered the spark, which produced the blast-like sound that alarmed commuters.
“The situation was quickly brought under control and normalcy was restored after ensuring there was no further risk to passengers or infrastructure,” the officer added.
Security personnel and technical teams inspected the site thoroughly following the incident.
The CISF, which is responsible for Metro security, carried out a joint inspection with Delhi Police and ruled out any foul play. Officials said the incident did not involve any explosive material or sabotage. Instead, it was an accidental occurrence linked to unsafe kite flying near critical infrastructure.
Metro services on the affected line were briefly disrupted during the emergency response and safety checks. However, services resumed shortly after authorities confirmed that operations could continue safely.
Passengers present at the station at the time described moments of confusion and fear after hearing the loud sound. Many initially suspected a blast and rushed towards exits before being guided by security personnel. Authorities said the prompt response by CISF and police helped prevent panic from escalating. Evacuation procedures were carried out in an orderly manner, and no stampede or injuries occurred.
Officials have reiterated warnings against flying kites near Metro lines and other sensitive installations.
They said such activities can pose serious risks, including damage to infrastructure and danger to public safety. “Kite strings, especially those coated with glass or synthetic material, can conduct electricity or interfere with overhead systems. This can lead to sparks, outages, or even accidents,” an official said.
Incidents involving kite strings disrupting power lines are not uncommon, particularly during festive seasons or in areas where kite flying is popular. Authorities have been issuing advisories to discourage the practice near transport and power infrastructure.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also previously cautioned the public about the dangers of flying kites close to Metro corridors. Overhead equipment used to power trains operates at high voltage and is highly sensitive to external interference.
Officials said Thursday’s incident serves as a reminder of how small actions can have serious consequences in densely populated urban areas. While normal operations have resumed and the station is functioning as usual, authorities said they will continue monitoring such risks and spreading awareness among the public.
