...while others grab the first opportunity to go back to a ‘new & democratic Bangladesh’
Times of India | 7 August 2024
Bangladeshi nationals KOLKATA: A batch of 311 Bangladeshis, stranded in Kolkata due to ongoing turmoil in their country, began their journey back home Tuesday via flights and buses. The first group of 67 flyers faced anxious hours at Kolkata airport before finally boarding a flight to Dhaka at 1am. Two more flights carrying 137 passengers followed later.
Three buses transporting 107 Bangladeshi nationals departed the city by noon.Among the travellers were many students, some as young as 17, who expressed hopes for a “new and democratic” Bangladesh. Kolkata airport operated four flights to and from Dhaka, operated by Biman Bangladesh, Novo Air, and US-Bangla Airlines. However, IndiGo cancelled two flights.
Munir Hossain, a Dhaka resident, recounted his experience of taking a Biman Bangladesh flight at 1.30am Tuesday after his original flight Monday evening was delayed due to a closure at Dhaka airport. “My visa was valid till Wednesday,” Hossain said. Bus passenger K M Haider from Barishal anticipated a midnight arrival home. “I hope we do not face any issues at the Petropole-Benapole border post. But I am excited to travel back home,” said Haider. Air India operated a Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi flight Tuesday and announced that future flights would depend on the situation in Bangladesh. “Due to the prevailing situation in Dhaka, Air India is offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling, with confirmed bookings on any Air India flight to and from Dhaka between Aug 4 & 7, 2024,” AI posted on X.
IndiGo planned to resume normal operations to and from Dhaka Wednesday, including daily flights from Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, and a double daily from Kolkata. Vistara also confirmed a Mumbai-Dhaka-Mumbai flight for Wednesday.