Fallen sky lanterns Metro rail service suspended for two hours

Staff Reporter :
Country’s first Metro Rail service was suspended for nearly two hours on safety ground as a number of flying lanterns fell on the overhead electricity cables during the celebration of the New Year 2023 around the capital on Saturday midnight.
On the other hand, a number of fire incidents were reported from different parts of the capital including Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Sadarghat and Lalbag areas. But no casualties were heard, Fire Service sources said.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL) took very cautious measures to clear such materials from the live wires before starting operation of the metro rail.
The services from two ends Uttara (Diabari) and Agagaon, however, began at 10:10am, DMTCL authority said.
Currently the authority has been running the metro rail from 8am to 12pm and gradually the time will be extended and the full operation of all the stations between Diabari and Agargaon will start by March this year.
Meanwhile, DMTCL Managing Director MAN Siddique said, “The metro rail service was suspended due to the flying lanterns that fell in huge numbers on the live wires of the metro rail which is an electricity-driven locomotive.”
“We halted the metro rail services to prevent any accidents,” he stressed.
He also said that the doused lanterns did not cause any damage to the electricity wires and the workers removed these materials from the wires to avert any possible incident.
Meanwhile, hundreds of passengers were found waiting before the two stations to board on the rails to reach their destinations.
They were found restless for the delay of the operation of the train caused by the flying lanterns.
Earlier on 28 December last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the metro rail, saying that it was a new feather to the cap of the country’s development.
The government said that for the protection of the metro rail special Metro Rail Police will be introduced, but before such an initiative the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will ensure the security of the elevated Metro Rail.
Earlier, DMP banned any outdoor event, flying sky lanterns or setting off fireworks on the eve of the New Year, aimed at preventing any possible accident, but such restrictions could not deter the city residents from such activities.
On the 31st night, city people on the rooftops set off fireworks and released flying lanterns to welcome the New Year.
Owing to the release of flying lanterns, fire incidents were reported at several parts of the city in Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Lalbagh and Sadarghat areas in the early hours of Sunday, Fire Service sources said.
Apart from it, the residents of Adabar area of the city experienced blackout when flying lanterns fell on electrical lines, spreading fire on the wires at Saturday midnight, Duty Officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room Ershad Hossain said. However, No casualties were reported.
A fire broke out in a multi-storied building in the Mohammadpur area caused by the flying lanterns. The fire fighters after frantic efforts douse the fire, the duty officer said.
Meanwhile, the fire incident in Sadarghat hawkers market took place by a flying lantern. However, the locals doused the fire before two units of fire fighters reached to the spot.
The locals also doused the fire that broke out in a building at Lalbagh and another one at Tajgaon area.
The fire incidents caused by the flying lanterns are happening regularly as it happened last year when around 10 fire incidents were reported on the 31st Night.