Kolkata stays open but weekday rush missing – Times of India

Kolkata News
KOLKATA: The city on Tuesday functioned normally amidst stray protests in certain pockets but there was a sharp dip in number of public transport as well as commuters on the road during the nation-wide strike called by farmers to protest against Centre’s farm laws. Their demands were supported by the ruling Trinamool Congress as well as the Left parties and Congress in Bengal.
Since morning, buses and taxis were fewer than those operated during the November 26 strike call. Private bus operators said several bus drivers did not join duty, forcing them to limit services. Airport services were not hit but Metro saw lesser footfall than usual days. Till 4pm, ridership on the north-south line was around 46,000 against Monday’s 60,000-plus. By the end of the day, the passenger count was somewhere around 85,000 to 90,000 while Monday’s footfall was 1.2 lakh. However, fewer vehicles also meant reduced travel time. “I reached my office in almost half the time taken on Monday. The buses were near empty too,” said Tanima Mondal, a regular commuter between Behala and Beckbagan.

Attendance at government offices also dipped as the state finance department, which usually issues a circular of service break in case of absence on a strike day before every such agitation, had refrained from issuing any such circular this time. IT sector at Sector V and New Town reported usual turnout like any other Covid days. In Kolkata, traffic at Esplanade was halted for several times as agitators from multiple parties blocked the crossing in phases but none of the protests was violent. At Moulali, Congress supporters burnt a tyre and tried to forcibly shut down a petrol pump before cops came in.
Several city markets remained shut through the day. The wholesale markets in Posta and Burrabazar were also shut. The markets for apparels, toys and dry fruits in and around Kalakar Street and book shops at College Street kept their shutters down as well.
“We stand by the farmers. Indirectly, we owe our livelihood to them,” said Dipankar Ghosh, general secretary of the Posta Bazar Mazdoor Welfare Organization.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-stays-open-but-weekday-rush-missing/articleshow/79631736.cms