In anticipation of the 2026 Makar Sankranti festival, the Surat Police have launched a massive safety drive to protect two-wheeler riders from the lethal risks of kite strings.
Starting this week, police personnel across Surat have begun distributing and personally fitting protective neck collars and safety “U-guards” on motorcycles to prevent throat injuries caused by glass-coated “manjha”.
This proactive initiative follows a history of tragic accidents where commuters suffered fatal neck lacerations from nearly invisible stray strings. While the drive offers immediate physical protection, authorities have also intensified a statewide crackdown on the sale of illegal synthetic manjha.
Public Welfare Initiative
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with immense passion in Gujarat, but the competitive nature of kite flying has turned urban roads into high-risk zones.
The use of glass-reinforced or synthetic “Chinese” manjha, designed to cut through rival strings, frequently ends up entangled across flyovers and main roads.
For bikers travelling at city speeds, these strings act like razor blades, often slitting the throats of riders before they can even react.
In previous years, Surat has seen multiple fatalities, prompting the administration to take extraordinary steps like tying safety wires between utility poles and now providing individual gear to ensure the joy of Uttarayan is not lost to tragedy.
Protective Gear
A viral video shared by authorities shows Surat police officers stopping commuters to fit thick, Rexine-based neck collars and installing metal arches on the handlebars of scooters. These arches are designed to catch and deflect stray strings over the rider’s head.
“Our goal is zero fatalities this year,” stated a senior traffic official, adding that two-wheelers will be banned from using elevated roads and flyovers on January 14 and 15 to further minimise risk.
In addition to these measures, the police have conducted raids on kite shops to enforce the ban on non-biodegradable strings, which pose a severe threat not only to humans but also to birds and animals.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the true spirit of a festival lies in the collective well-being of the community. While we cherish the vibrant heritage of kite flying, we must acknowledge that thrill-seeking through glass-coated strings is a form of negligence that endangers lives.
The Surat Police deserve immense credit for their boots-on-the-ground approach to saving lives through these protective collars.
However, long-term safety requires a shift in public conscience where we choose cotton strings over lethal alternatives. We must ensure our skyward celebrations do not bring sorrow to the streets below.
