CM Mamata writes to Centre to stop flights & trains from high-COVID cities to West Bengal

Amid surge in Coronavirus cases, West Bengal government on Tuesday urged Centre to t schedule any flight from high 'prevalence' cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Pune to state for two weeks. West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha on Tuesday wrote a letter to Civil Aviation Secretary P S Kharola and requested him to stop movement of flights from eight cities to Kolkata or Bagdogra for two weeks starting July 6.

'Decided to stop movement of incoming flights'

"West Bengal is also witnessing a steep rise in cases. A large number of cases have been reported from people coming (to) state from outside with infection. government of West Bengal has decided to stop or curtail movement of incoming flights and trains into state. Accordingly, I approach you with a request kindly t to schedule any flight to West Bengal from high prevalence places like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai, Indore, Ahmedab and Surat and stop movements of flights from se cities to Kolkata or Bagdogra for two weeks starting July 6," Sinha wrote in letter. Sinha also requested aviation secretary to limit number of flights to Kolkata, Bagdogra and Andal from or cities to a frequency of once a week for each airline from July 6 to 31.

Moreover, chief secretary me a request to Union government to temporarily stop trains to West Bengal from places having high COVID-19 cases so that spre of virus can be stopped. This came after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee h on Monday said that her government would urge Centre to limit domestic flights to state to just one day a week, as number of infections would shoot up once people from outside started returning to West Bengal.

regular services of Kolkata Metro till August 12 even as CM Mamata wishes resumption

Meanwhile, CM Mamata Banerjee also extended lockdown in state till July 31 to curb spre of Coronavirus. On Tuesday, she also warned private bus operators to resume rmal services from Wednesday, failing which state government will temporarily take over buses and run vehicles during lockdown period, as per provisions of Disaster Manment Act. City-based unions of private and mini buses have been amant on a fare hike citing rising fuel prices, despite Rs 27 crore subsidy anunced by state government.

West Bengal govt releases fresh guidelines after extending lockdown till 31 July; Re

West Bengal's COVID tally

West Bengal on Monday recorded highest one-day spike in COVID-19 cases with 624 new infections, taking state's tally to 17,907, while 14 more people succumbed to disease raising death toll to 653, a health bulletin said. Thirteen, out of 14 deceased, died due to comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental, it said.

Since Sunday, 526 patients were discharged from different hospitals in state after y recovered from disease. number of active cases is w 5,535, according to bulletin.

59 apps banned: Mamata asks Modi Govt to give a 'more befitting reply' to China

PM Modi anunces extension of PMGKAY; over 80 cr people to get free ration till vember