Kochi: Kite flying gives tough time to RPF

KOCHI: Railway Protection Force (RPF) has cautioned against people flying kites, which has become a favourite pastime during the lockdown, as it may endanger people’s life and also disrupt rail traffic.
Flying kites near rail tracks can turn fatal as there are chances of the string getting entangled on overhead 25kV electric line. This will also disrupt train movement.“If the string is wet, chances of them getting electrocuted is high. Besides, strings getting entangled on the electric line will disrupt power supply and eventually bring trains to a halt on the track. After noticing the practice during our routine inspection on tracks, we have given awareness to families living near the tracks and asked parents to dissuade children from flying kites near the track. Though there is let up in the number of incidents following our campaign, still children and elders are seen flying kites near railway tracks,” said assistant security commissioner (Ernakulam RPF) T S Gopakumar.
RPF conducting patrolling on tower car are often forced to halt it on the track to remove the kites entangled on the electric line before moving forward. During patrolling, RPF make announcements asking people not to fly kites and trespass into railway property.
RPF registered cases against nine people last week for creating nuisance and trespassing into railway property. They were sitting on the rail track near Edapally, and on seeing the approaching tower car they ran for their lives leaving their mobile phones behind. They face oneyear imprisonment and fine under the Railways Act, for trespassing. “Suspension of rail traffic does not mean that all trains have been cancelled. Only passenger trains have been cancelled. Trains transporting goods, and light engine are moving,” Gopakumar said.