Delhi Metro warns influencers against gluing phones to moving trains

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has issued a stern warning to social media influencers and passengers against a viral trend involving gluing smartphones to the exterior of moving train windows. The transit authority warns that the practice poses significant safety risks to the public and can cause permanent damage to the devices used.

The crackdown follows a surge of high-engagement videos on Instagram, where creators stick their phones to the outside of the glass to capture unique perspectives of the city as the train moves. One such video, posted by influencer Nikhil Kochar (@nikhilkochar80), gained massive traction, garnering over 135 million views. The DMRC highlighted that if these devices detach while the train is in motion, they could become dangerous projectiles, potentially causing injury to other passengers or people on the tracks.

A rise in 'objectionable' content

This specific trend is part of a broader pattern of content creators using public infrastructure for social media stunts. The DMRC has reported an increase in "objectionable" activities by individuals seeking viral fame within the transit system. In response, DMRC chief Vikas Kumar has urged commuters to prioritize the primary purpose of the network, stating explicitly that the "metro is for travel, not for trends."

Infrastructure and safety risks

Beyond the immediate physical danger of falling hardware, the DMRC is concerned with the misuse of public assets. The act of applying adhesives to train windows can damage the exterior surfaces and interfere with the operational integrity of the fleet. The transit authority emphasizes that the pursuit of social media engagement does not justify the risk to passenger safety or the degradation of public property.

Stricter monitoring ahead

To curb the rise of these stunts, the DMRC has already begun deploying specialized squads to conduct surprise checks across the network. These measures are designed to identify and stop influencers from filming disruptive or dangerous content inside and outside the trains. The authority has launched campaigns to educate the public on proper conduct, signaling that stricter monitoring and potential penalties will be implemented for those who continue to ignore safety advisories.