Title - Police escort for airport buses

KOLKATA: If you have a flight to catch on Thursday, you'd be better off opting for an air-conditioned bus because it will have an armed police escort to keep bandh enforcers at bay. The railways, too, have sought additional forces from the state to ensure that trains run on time.No flight had been cancelled by Wednesday evening. Airline crews will be escorted to the airport. Police pickets will be in place by 2am on Thursday at strategic locations on VIP Road and Rajarhat Expressway to thwart the bandh brigade. There will be intensive patrolling on VIP Road, which has been a trouble stretch during previous bandhs.The control rooms of Kolkata and Bidhannagar police will have additional staff to field distress calls. While the Bidhannagar police will be in charge of security of the buses till Chingrihata, the Kolkata Police will take over beyond that.The airport director has requested the government to ply extra buses on Thursday and transport minister Madan Mitra said he would do his best. "The airport will function as usual," airport director BP Sharma said.Railway officials, too, have got in touch with the transport department for more taxis and buses. "In case, there are obstructions, we will try to halt the trains at big stations that have been well-stocked for the eventuality. Foods stalls will also serve milk for children. Onboard caterers have been asked to keep extra meals ready in case there is any delay," an official said.

All zones and divisions have been asked to ensure that long-distance trains move out of Bengal by 6am on Thursday. "Though the Saraighat Express arrived late, we worked on an emergency basis and ensured that it leave Howrah on time. Officials in Northeast Frontier Railway have been instructed not to detain it anywhere till it crosses into Assam," the official added.