Major airlines issued alerts on transport and traffic disruptions asking passengers to monitor road conditions and their flight status on Wednesday (August 28), after the BJP called a 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ to protest against the state government. The bandh from 6 am to 6 pm was called after the police used tear gas and lathicharged protesters during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally a day before.
#WATCH | RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case | Howrah, West Bengal: 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ called by BJP to protest against the state government
The bandh has been called after the police used lathi charges and tear gas on protestors during Nabanna Abhiyan,… pic.twitter.com/22MmAKJol2
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
Vistara, IndiGo and SpiceJet sent out travel advisories alerting passengers about possible local transport issues, road blockages, diversions, traffic congestion and slow vehicle movement en route to the Kolkata airport. They also asked people to plan travel well in advance and track flight status to stay updated on the developments during the bandh.
“TravelAdvisory: Local transport in West Bengal may be disrupted as a result of the BanglaBandh declared for tomorrow, 28th Aug’24. Passengers are advised to monitor their local traffic conditions and keep a check on flight status via https://shorturl.at/6KfRe and allow themselves sufficient time for the journey to the airport,” SpiceJet said on its social media handle on X.
#TravelAdvisory: Local transport in West Bengal may be disrupted as a result of the #BanglaBandh declared for tomorrow, 28th Aug’24. Passengers are advised to monitor their local traffic conditions and keep a check on flight status via https://t.co/qgJ2NF4j1x and allow themselves…
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) August 27, 2024
“6ETravelAdvisory: Customers who have their travel planned from Kolkata, may experience road blockages and diversions en route the airport. Please plan your journey with extra travel time to ensure a smooth trip. Do keep a tab on your flight status too https://bit.ly/3DNYJqj,” IndiGo issued an alert on X.
#6ETravelAdvisory: Customers who have their travel planned from #Kolkata, may experience road blockages and diversions en route the airport. Please plan your journey with extra travel time to ensure a smooth trip. Do keep a tab on your flight status too https://t.co/rpnOvAOxQl
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 27, 2024
“TravelUpdate: Traffic congestion and slow vehicle movement are expected en route to Kolkata Airport on August 28th. Customers are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you,” Vistara informed its passengers on X.
#TravelUpdate: Traffic congestion and slow vehicle movement are expected enroute to Kolkata Airport on August 28th. Customers are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you
— Vistara (@airvistara) August 27, 2024
While the Kolkata Traffic Police issued a notification in connection with the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally along with updates on August 25, there were no such advisories for the ‘Bengal Bandh’ on its social media handle on X.
Daily life was somewhat affected in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal due to the shutdown. In Kolkata, the usual busyness on the roads on a weekday morning was missing with fewer buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis plying. Private vehicles were also significantly less in number, even as markets and shops remained open as usual. Schools and colleges remained open, while in most private offices, attendance was lower with employees being asked to work from home.
Trains services hit on Sealdah line
Local train services were hit on the Bangaon-Sealdah railway line, which is one of the busiest rail routes connecting Kolkata and its suburbs, as BJP karyakartas staged a blockade. But, they are now being reinstated after TMC workers protested against the bandh call.
#WATCH | North 24 Parganas | TMC Party workers protest against BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ call for today.
Train services were disrupted between Bangaon-Sealdah which is now being reinstated pic.twitter.com/ISyiQqBlv6
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
The BJP workers also staged a blockade at the Barasat Dakshin railway station on the Sealdah line as well as on Tala Bridge, which is part of the Kolkata Circular railway. There were also demonstrations at Gocharan station in South 24 Parganas and the Murshidabad station in support of the bandh.
Tension was palpable at the Barrackpore station in North 24 Parganas as BJP supporters and TMC workers came face to face. BJP workers blocked the way of a local train in Hooghly station. The Eastern Railway said there were a total of 49 blockades at major train sections like Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Diamond Harbour, Naihati, Shantipur and Kalyani.
