The newly launched metro rail services in Dhaka remained suspended for two hours on Sunday morning as a number of sky lanterns used for New Year celebrations fell on the overhead electric cables.
The metro rail authorities suspended the operation on safety grounds from 8am, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) MAN Siddique told UNB.
After cleaning the lanterns from the electric cables, the operation resumed around 10am, he added.
Dhaka dwellers used firecrackers and flew sky lanterns on the 31st night despite Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) restrictions, disrupting metro rail service.
The country’s commuting system entered a new era on December 28 last year as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the operation of the first phase of the electricity-powered metro rail service -- Uttara to Agargaon in the capital.
As the authorities have started the operation on a limited scale, passengers can avail of the service for four hours between 8am and 12 noon.
Bangladesh is the third country in the South Asian region to have metro rail after India and Pakistan.
