Bengal Bandh Today: Airlines Issue Disruption Alerts, Train Services Hit, Police Vigil On Roads

Major airlines issued alerts on transport and traffic disruptions asking passengers to monitor road conditions and their flight status 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 on Tuesday (August 27).

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.

“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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

Apart from partial effects in the state capital, the bandh was felt across West Bengal even as a PIL was filed against it before the Calcutta High Court for which the hearing will take place on Wednesday (August 28). There were reports of the police detaining BJP workers observing the bandh at Alipurduar.

In Kolkata, doctors are holding a protest march at 2 pm from Shyambazar to Dharmatala. The West Bengal government, which has urged people not to respond to the BJP’s general strike, issued a notification saying all government offices will remain open and all employees, except those facing exigencies or are on leave, will have to report for duty or face show-cause for their unauthorised absence.

“The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected,” said Alapan Bandopadhyay, the chief adviser to chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Bus drivers spotted wearing helmets

Drivers of government buses in Howrah were spotted wearing helmets. They said they were wearing them for their safety. Bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were also wearing helmets in Cooch Behar and Uttar Dinajpur.

“Today is bandh, so we are wearing helmets…We are wearing helmets for safety…” said a bus driver in Howrah.

A bus driver from Cooch Behar said: “We are wearing helmets because of the bandh called by the BJP today…The department has given us the helmets to wear for safety…”

“We are wearing the helmet as bandh has been called today…The government has ordered us to wear the helmets for safety…” said another bus driver from Uttar Dinajpur.

Security enhanced in Kolkata

Security cover was increased in Kolkata with a message from the ADG (law and order) to senior officers for the bandh asking for sufficient police presence, including women personnel.

Police personnel will be deployed in key areas to prevent the bandh and directions were given to prevent forceful implementation and any act of violence. “Strong legal action will be taken against those who indulge in violence.

Social media monitoring should increase as there will be instigation. Night vigil in sensitive areas should be increased,” the order stated.

There were reports of increased police vigil from Hooghly, Maldah, Gocharan, Cooch Behar, Asansol, Darjeeling and Siliguri.