As Punjab celebrates the vibrant festival of Lohri, a deeply concerning and dangerous trend has emerged on the rail network of Ludhiana. Young children, some as young as six years old, are flying kites directly on active railway tracks, often standing mere meters from speeding locomotives. This seasonal activity has highlighted a severe lapse in public safety, turning rail corridors into perilous playgrounds.
A Lethal Combination of Risks
The immediate danger of being hit by a train is terrifyingly real. However, the risk is multiplied by the use of Chinese dor – the illegal, glass-coated plastic string used for kite fighting. Witnesses report seeing children flying kites directly beneath high-voltage overhead traction wires. This creates a deadly scenario where the conductive or synthetic string can lead to electrocution. Furthermore, the chase to retrieve a cut kite often sends children sprinting blindly across the tracks, directly into the path of oncoming rail traffic.
‘No Other Place to Play’ for Migrant Children
For the children involved, this risky behavior stems from necessity, not choice. Many are from migrant labourer families living in cramped accommodations without access to the traditional rooftop terraces used for kite flying in India. With parents working as daily wage labourers, the children are often left unsupervised. Large sections of the Ludhiana rail network remain unfenced, allowing easy access to the tracks. "We love to fly kites, but our homes don't have terraces," one child explained. "We come to the railway bridges because there is space."
Community Demands Action and Fencing
Local residents and shopkeepers have repeatedly warned families about the dangers, but their concerns have gone unheeded. They note that migrant families also use the tracks as a social gathering spot during the day. The community is now calling for urgent intervention. There should be a strict ban on walking or crossing these tracks," a resident insisted. "The easy access is the main problem. We need proper fencing and regular patrols by railway authorities to prevent a fatal accident."
Specific calls have been made for the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to increase surveillance and patrols, especially during the Lohri and Republic Day period. This demand is fueled by past incidents during festivities where children have fallen from bridges or been struck by trains. The public appeal is clear: immediate steps are required to secure the tracks and protect young lives before a tragedy occurs.
