Metro rail operations in Dhaka were suspended for two hours as a precautionary measure after several sky lanterns left by people on New Year’s Eve clung to electric wires.
Operations resumed around 10 am on Sunday after the lines were cleared by the authorities.
Addressing the matter, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Managing Director MAN Siddiqui said, “Several sky lanterns released on New Year’s Eve got stuck on the metro rail cables. Hence, we have stopped the services to prevent any accident.” “
Ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police banned outdoor events and the release of sky lanterns as part of a series of restrictions aimed at preventing any untoward incident. But most households, especially in old Dhaka, defied the restrictions and lit fireworks and lanterns to usher in the new year.