Travel Advisory Due To Bengal Bandh: Airlines Warn Of Delays, Train Services Affected, Heavy Police Presence

Alerts about transport and traffic disruptions were issued by major airlines, advising passengers to monitor road conditions and their flight status, on Wednesday, August 28.

This came in response to the 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' called by the BJP to protest against the state government. The bandh, which was scheduled from 6 am to 6 pm, was announced following the use of tear gas and lathi charges by the police during the previous day's 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally.

Vistara, IndiGo, and SpiceJet issued travel advisories warning passengers of potential disruptions, including local transport issues, road blockages, diversions, traffic congestion, and slow vehicle movement around Kolkata airport. They recommended that travelers plan ahead and monitor their flight status for updates during the bandh.

"Travel Advisory: Due to the Bangla Bandh on August 28, local transport in West Bengal may be affected. Passengers are advised to check local traffic conditions, track flight status at https://shorturl.at/6KfRe, and allow extra time to reach the airport," SpiceJet posted on X.

"6ETravelAdvisory: Travelers departing from Kolkata may face road blockages and diversions on the way to the airport. Allow extra time for your journey and monitor your flight status at https://bit.ly/3DNYJqj," IndiGo advised on X.

"TravelUpdate: Expect traffic congestion and slow vehicle movement towards Kolkata Airport on August 28. Please allocate extra time for your journey. Thank you," Vistara notified its passengers on X.

On August 25, the Kolkata Traffic Police issued a notification regarding the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally but did not provide any advisories for the 'Bengal Bandh' on its social media handle.

The bandh led to some disruption in daily life across Kolkata and West Bengal. The usual weekday morning bustle was absent, with fewer buses, auto-rickshaws, and taxis operating. Private vehicle traffic was notably reduced, although markets and shops remained open. Schools and colleges stayed operational, but many private offices saw lower attendance as employees were advised to work from home.

Sealdah line Trains affected

Local train services on the Sealdah-Bangaon line, a key route connecting Kolkata with its suburbs, were disrupted due to blockades by BJP karyakartas. However, services are being gradually restored following protests against the bandh by TMC workers.

BJP workers staged multiple blockades across West Bengal during the 'Bengal Bandh,' disrupting train and road transport. Key locations affected included Barasat Dakshin railway station, Tala Bridge on the Kolkata Circular railway, Gocharan station in South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad station. Tension also erupted at Barrackpore station, where clashes occurred between BJP supporters and TMC workers, and BJP workers blocked local train services at Hooghly station. The Eastern Railway reported 49 blockades across major train sections such as Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Diamond Harbour, Naihati, Shantipur, and Kalyani.

In Kolkata, doctors are planning a protest march from Shyambazar to Dharmatala at 2 pm. The West Bengal government has urged residents to ignore the bandh, stating that all government offices will remain open, and employees are required to report for duty unless on leave or facing emergencies. Chief Adviser Alapan Bandopadhyay emphasized that the government will ensure normalcy and discourage participation in the bandh.

In Nandigram, BJP activists disrupted traffic with road picketing. In Maldah, clashes occurred between TMC and BJP activists over road blockades, prompting police intervention. BJP demonstrations also took place at the Bankura town bus stand, and in Alipurduar, activists clashed with police while attempting to block an arterial road, demanding the resignation of the chief minister with slogans like 'Dafa ek dabi ek, mukhyomantrir padatyag' (single demand, the chief minister must resign).

Bus drivers wearing helmets

In Howrah, government bus drivers were seen wearing helmets for safety during the bandh. Similar measures were taken by bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) in Cooch Behar and Uttar Dinajpur.

"We are wearing helmets today due to the bandh... It's for our safety," said a bus driver in Howrah.

A bus driver from Cooch Behar stated, "We are wearing helmets because of the BJP-called bandh today. The department has provided us with these helmets for safety."

Another bus driver from Uttar Dinajpur added, "We are wearing helmets due to today's bandh. The government has instructed us to wear them for our safety."

Security enhanced in Kolkata

Security in Kolkata was heightened with the ADG (Law and Order) instructing senior officers to ensure adequate police presence, including women personnel, during the bandh.

Police personnel will be stationed in key areas to thwart the bandh and prevent any forceful enforcement or violence. "Strong legal action will be taken against those involved in violence," the order emphasized. It also instructed increased social media monitoring to counter instigation and heightened night patrols in sensitive areas.

Reports indicate enhanced police vigilance in Hooghly, Maldah, Gocharan, Cooch Behar, Asansol, Darjeeling, and Siliguri.