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KOLKATA: The railways authorities managed to run local trains defying the Left Front's bandh, but there were hardly any passengers on board. While locals plied almost without passengers, long-distance trains ran with only 50 to 60% passengers since a majority of them preferred to cancel their journey after the bandh was announced.

According to statistics provided by Anirban Dutta, Howrah divisional railway manager, even Rajdhani Express ran only with 60% passengers.

Though majority preferred to stay indoor, those who had no option but travel faced a harrowing time. For example, Shweta and Aashish Mittal, a young couple from Indore, had heard about famous Kolkata bandhs, but they got a taste of it on Thursday as Shipra Express chugged into Howrah station at 1pm.

"We used to see vignettes of Kolkata bandhs on television. My sister keeps telling me about strikes every now and then, but it's another thing to experience it," Aashish said, struggling with their luggage. They didn't even try to look for a porter as they knew it would be a wild-goose chase on a bandh day.

Neither did they try to get hold of a taxi because Shweta's sister, who stays in Lake Town, had informed them about the general as well as the taxi strike. The couple finally reached Lake Town on a car hired by Shweta's sister. They paid Rs 700, more than double of what it takes to reach to Lake Town from Howrah on a normal day.

Unlike Shweta and Aashish, siblings Sonia and Monica Pradhan did get a porter. But finally, they had to drag their luggage to the taxi stand as they could not "afford" to meet the portar's demand. Their plight didn't end here as the taxi stand outside Howrah station wore a deserted look. Some Blue Arrow taxis were there, but they charged a fortune for a ride home. Finally, the sisters walked towards Howrah bridge hoping to catch a state bus.

"Our meter charges are 30% more than the non-AC taxis. Since we are providing services on a bandh day, we are charging a one-time rate," said Ratan Mondal, a driver.