Kolkata Commuters Struggle: Life came to a near standstill for thousands of daily commuters in and around Kolkata on Thursday as the Nabanna March — organized by opposition parties — led to widespread disruptions in public transportation, forcing many to walk long distances to reach train stations, offices, and educational institutions. The march, aimed at protesting alleged corruption, unemployment, and governance failures, saw massive police deployment across the city and its suburban areas.
From early morning, barricades were set up along key arterial roads, especially in central and north Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly. Buses, minibuses, and taxis either avoided protest-hit zones or remained off the roads altogether, wary of traffic snarls and potential clashes. Metro services ran as per schedule, but overcrowding made the commute exhausting for passengers.
Scenes of Frustration on the Streets
By 9:00 a.m., large groups of office-goers could be seen walking briskly — some for several kilometers — towards Sealdah, Howrah, and Esplanade stations, hoping to board suburban trains or the Metro. With vehicular traffic moving at a snail’s pace, many abandoned taxis or rickshaws mid-route to continue on foot.
“I usually take a bus from Bally to Esplanade, but today we were dropped near Howrah station because traffic was jammed. I had to walk for almost 40 minutes to reach my office,” said Anindita Banerjee, an IT professional. “It felt like the entire city was on foot.”
Shopkeepers along Central Avenue reported a noticeable drop in footfall. “On a regular day, my shop would be full by mid-morning. Today, people were only rushing past,” said Sukanta Dey, who runs a tea stall near Chandni Chowk Metro station.
Impact on Suburban Travellers
The disruption was particularly severe for suburban train passengers coming from districts like Hooghly, Howrah, and South 24 Parganas. With buses unavailable in many pockets, people arriving at Howrah and Sealdah stations were left stranded without onward transport.
“I come from Serampore and take a bus from Howrah to Dalhousie. Today, there were no buses at all,” said Koushik Chatterjee, a government employee. “I had no choice but to walk across the Howrah bridge to reach my office.”
While some suburban trains were delayed due to congestion near city terminals, others operated smoothly but were overcrowded. Vendors at station platforms said they sold out of bottled water and snacks by noon, reflecting the surge in stranded passengers.
Heavy Security and Police Strategy
The Kolkata Police, along with Howrah City Police and the West Bengal Police, deployed thousands of personnel along the protest routes. Riot control vehicles, water cannons, and quick response teams were stationed at key points like Howrah Bridge, Nabanna, Esplanade, and Santragachi.
Barricades were set up along roads leading to Nabanna, the state secretariat in Howrah, to prevent protesters from breaching security. “Our priority was to maintain law and order and ensure there was no violence,” said a senior police officer. “We also tried to keep essential routes open for emergency vehicles.”
Despite the precautions, minor scuffles were reported in some areas, leading to a few arrests. Medical teams were on standby to assist anyone affected by heat or exhaustion during the day’s march.
Kolkata Commuters Struggle: The Political Undertone
The Nabanna March was spearheaded by opposition parties as a demonstration against alleged misgovernance, delayed recruitment in government jobs, and corruption scandals. Leaders accused the ruling party of “silencing dissent” by using heavy-handed policing to control the march.
Speaking to reporters, an opposition leader said, “The state government is afraid of public anger. Today’s turnout shows that people are frustrated and want change.”
The ruling party, however, dismissed these claims. A spokesperson stated, “The protest was politically motivated and aimed at disrupting public life. The administration worked hard to ensure normalcy.”
Economic and Daily Life Disruptions
Small businesses and street vendors bore the brunt of the disruptions. Many eateries in central Kolkata saw lower lunch sales, while delivery services faced delays due to roadblocks. App-based cab fares surged because of increased demand and fewer drivers willing to operate in high-security zones.
Some educational institutions rescheduled classes or shifted to online mode for the day to accommodate students affected by the disruption. Offices in the affected areas either allowed employees to work from home or granted early leave to avoid rush-hour chaos.
Voices from the Ground
- Rina Das, student: “I had an exam at my college in Sealdah. My bus never came, so I had to take an auto halfway and walk the rest. By the time I reached, I was drenched in sweat.”
- Subhajit Paul, delivery executive: “I could only complete three deliveries today. Most roads were blocked, and I wasted hours stuck in traffic.”
- Rajat Ghosh, small trader: “I lost a whole day’s earnings. Customers just didn’t show up.”
Public Reaction on Social Media
Social media platforms buzzed with pictures and videos of long queues outside Metro stations, foot traffic on key flyovers, and police barricades. Hashtags like #NabannaMarch and #KolkataTraffic trended locally, with netizens divided over the protest’s necessity.
Some praised the demonstrators for “fighting for rights,” while others criticized the disruption of daily life. Memes comparing Kolkata streets to “marathon tracks” went viral, reflecting a blend of humor and frustration.
Looking Ahead
The day ended with protesters dispersing peacefully in the evening after submitting a memorandum to the state government. However, the ripple effect of the day’s events lingered into the night as many commuters reached home late.
Experts believe that unless political parties and the administration work together to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public order, such disruptions will continue to plague Kolkata.
External References:
- Kolkata Metro Official Website
- West Bengal Police Official Website
- Howrah Municipal Corporation
- Eastern Railway Updates
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