Today’s Bengal Bandh has significantly impacted travel in West Bengal. Major airlines, including IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet, have issued warnings about potential disruptions in transportation and traffic due to a 12-hour bandh. Passengers are advised to plan for extra travel time to Kolkata airport.
The bandh was called after police used lathi charges and tear gas against protestors during the Nabanna Abhiyan. As a result, local transport services are experiencing issues, including road blockages, diversions, and traffic congestion. Travelers heading to Kolkata airport should anticipate slow vehicle movement and possible delays.
IndiGo has advised passengers to factor in additional travel time to the airport, cautioning about potential road blockages and diversions. They recommended keeping an eye on flight statuses for any updates.
Vistara echoed this advice, alerting customers to expect traffic congestion and slow-moving vehicles en route to the airport. They urged travelers to allocate extra time for their journey.
SpiceJet also issued a travel advisory, noting potential disruptions in local transport due to the bandh. They suggested monitoring local traffic conditions and checking flight statuses regularly.
In addition to the airline advisories, train services between Bangaon and Sealdah experienced disruptions, although they are now being restored.
In response to the bandh, bus drivers with the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) have been seen wearing helmets in Cooch Behar, as per administrative instructions. A bus driver explained, "We are wearing helmets because of the bandh today. The department has provided us with them."
Kolkata witnessed significant unrest as protests erupted on the streets. Security forces deployed tear gas, water cannons, and used lathicharge to disperse demonstrators on the Howrah Bridge. The protesters were marching towards the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna, in response to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.
Protesters gathered on the Howrah Bridge, climbing over police barricades and engaging in clashes with law enforcement during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march. They were seen dismantling and dragging away barricades set up in the Santragachi area, on their way to the Secretariat.
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