Strike gets partial response in West Bengal

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee today did keep her promise ensuring sufficient  public transport in the city, but there was hardly any takers for the services, making the nationwide strike partially successful.

Flight operations in Kolkata airport and train services in Howrah, Sealdah divisions was normal, despite minor disruptions in suburban train services in the morning. Although passenger load in Kolkata airport was almost normal, there was a substantial drop in train passengers.

Buses, taxis, trams, trains and Metro rail services were largely normal. According to state transport department, over 1300 state-run buses were on the road, which is 100 more than that of any regular day.As the transport union had promised to ply vehicles, there were adequate private buses and taxis as well.

But, few people in the city came out to avail the services, prompting many private bus and taxi owners withdrew their vehicles, later in the day. “We are running buses since morning. But, there is hardly any passengers,” a conductor of a private bus said.

Also, the general strike called by 11 central trade unions turned into a political flashpoint in West Bengal. Political clashes between ruling TMC and Left-sponsored Bandh supporters were reported from city and outskirts. In one of such incident, West Bengal transport minister Madan Mitra was gheraoed by Bandh supporters in South Kolkata.

Attendance in government offices, however, almost normal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier had warned of action, including break in service, in case state government employees failed to turn up for duty. This  prompted many employees in the  state secretariat to spend the night at respective departments to join work today. There was marginal drop in attendance in Salt Lake IT-sector.

However, in North Bengal most of the tea gardens remained closed.