Delhi Metro warns influencers against dangerous 'phone sticking' reel trend

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has issued a stern warning to social media influencers following a viral trend where smartphones are allegedly attached to the exterior of moving trains. The agency is moving to curb the practice before it leads to serious injury or operational disruptions.

The warning follows the massive success of a reel by content creator Nikhil Kochar, which has garnered between 135 million and 138 million views. The footage depicts a camera appearing to be stuck to the window of a Yellow Line train as it passes a creator posing on the platform. In response, the DMRC warned that sticking phones to the windows of moving trains can cause significant damage to the devices and, more critically, pose a direct injury risk to other passengers.

The Risk of Viral Stunts

This incident is part of a growing pattern where influencers perform high-risk stunts in public transport hubs to gain traction on platforms like Instagram. While the specific production methods of the original viral video remain unconfirmed, the DMRC is concerned that the visual appeal of the clip will encourage untrained individuals to attempt the stunt for real.

Operational Consequences

From the DMRC's perspective, these stunts represent a significant safety breach. Beyond the loss of expensive hardware, the agency noted that objects falling from moving trains onto tracks or platforms could interfere with metro operations or strike commuters. The potential for debris to enter the rail system creates a hazard that extends beyond the individual creator to the thousands of daily passengers using the network.

Enforcement and Next Steps

Authorities have made it clear that they will not tolerate the use of their infrastructure for dangerous content. The DMRC stated that if any content creator is caught performing such shooting, "necessary action will be taken against them," which may include legal or administrative penalties.

Passengers and creators are now being urged to prioritize safety over social media engagement. The DMRC continues to monitor platforms for similar trends, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to stunts that compromise the security of the transit system.