Metro rail services temporarily suspended after cat enters track area

Metro rail services in the capital were temporarily suspended on Saturday (June 13) after a cat entered the main track area, prompting authorities to halt operations as a precautionary safety measure.

According to sources, the incident took place around 11:40am. Although officials could not immediately confirm the exact station or section of the network where the animal entered, efforts were launched to safely remove it from the track zone before resuming train operations.

The sudden disruption during peak daytime hours left hundreds of passengers stranded at various metro stations across the city. With train services remaining suspended for an extended period, many commuters were seen waiting on platforms, while others eventually left stations in search of alternative transportation.

To manage the situation, security personnel temporarily restricted the entry of new passengers into station premises. Authorities also began refunding fares to passengers who had already purchased tickets but were unable to complete their journeys due to the service interruption.

A senior official of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) said train operations were suspended solely to ensure passenger safety after the animal was detected within the operational area.

“The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to eliminate any potential risk to passengers and train operations. Services will resume once the track area is fully cleared and declared safe,” the official said.

Authorities have apologised for the temporary inconvenience and assured passengers that metro rail operations will restart as soon as all safety checks are completed.