Refrain from flying kites, lanterns near metro rail tracks: Authorities
Fallen sky lanterns and kytes disrupted Dhaka Metro Rail services several times in recent months
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has requested people not to fly kites, lanterns or any material as such near the metro rail tracks to prevent possible disruptions or accidents.
In a circular published on Monday, the DMTCL requested residents and guardians, living within one kilometer on either side of the metro rail line from Uttara to Agargaon, to prevent children from flying kites, lanterns or gas balloons.
The metro rail is running daily from Uttara to Agargaon using high capacity electric lines. So, kites, lanterns, or balloons getting stuck there poses risk of serious accidents, the circular noted.
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Rail movement being halted to remove such items from the tracks causes great suffering for passengers, adds the circular.
On 20 February, Dhaka metro rail service was halted partially for 40 minutes as a kite reportedly got stuck with one of its electric poles.
After 9:20am on Monday, the entry gate to the platform and ticket sales were closed to people at Pallabi station. Train service became normal after more than half an hour.
A similar incident disrupted the Dhaka metro rail service for two hours on 1 January after a sky lantern released for the new year celebration fell on its electric lines after they stopped burning.
