Bengal bandh: Airlines issue advisories; bus drivers wear helmets
Major airlines, including IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet, have issued travel alerts due to the 12-hour Bengal Bandh, advising passengers to allow extra time for reaching Kolkata airport. The bandh, triggered by police actions involving lathi charges and tear gas during the Nabanna Abhijan, may cause disruptions. The airlines' advisory warns of potential issues such as local transport problems, road blockages, diversions, and traffic congestion. Passengers are urged to plan for additional travel time to navigate these disruptions.
Airlines advise passengers to plan for extra travel time
IndiGo in its advisory wrote, "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." Vistara in its advisory said, "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."
Train services disrupted across several regions
Separately, according to news agency ANI, train services between Bangaon and Sealdah faced disruptions but are now being restored. In Cooch Behar, North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus drivers have been seen wearing helmets as per administration instructions. A bus driver told ANI, "We are wearing helmets due to the bandh today... The department provided us with the helmets."
Kolkata on high alert amid BJP's call for Bengal bandh
Security has been tightened in Kolkata due to the Bharatiya Janata Party's call for a 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh.' Dendup Sherpa, additional superintendent of police, said "Police personnel are deployed everywhere to maintain law and order in the state." This comes after Tuesday's chaos when security forces used tear gas shells, water cannons, and resorted to lathi charge to disperse protesters marching toward Nabanna, the state secretariat.
