Kolkata Traffic Thrown Into Chaos as ASHA Workers' Protest March Halted by Police
Traffic in Kolkata was severely disrupted on Wednesday as a protest by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers brought key areas of the city to a standstill. The demonstration, which aimed to march towards the state health department headquarters, was met with strong police intervention at multiple strategic points across the city.
Police Intervention at Multiple Locations Leads to Tense Standoff
Law enforcement authorities stopped the protesting ASHA workers at several critical junctions, including Moulali, Sealdah's Prachi Cinema area, and Bowbazar. This police action prevented the demonstrators from reaching their intended destination at the health headquarters, resulting in prolonged traffic snarls and significant inconvenience to commuters.
The situation escalated into heated arguments between police personnel and protestors at these locations. Eyewitnesses reported tense exchanges as ASHA workers expressed their frustration over being prevented from continuing their march through the city's central areas.
Protest Causes Widespread Traffic Disruption Across City
The protest action had a cascading effect on Kolkata's traffic flow, with:
- Major arterial roads experiencing severe congestion
- Public transport services facing unexpected delays
- Commuters stranded for extended periods in affected areas
- Emergency services reportedly facing challenges navigating through protest-affected zones
Police authorities had deployed additional personnel at sensitive points across the city in anticipation of the protest march. The decision to stop the demonstrators at multiple locations was part of a strategy to maintain public order and prevent the protest from reaching government offices.
Background of ASHA Workers' Grievances
ASHA workers, who serve as crucial frontline health workers in rural and urban areas across India, have been raising various demands related to their working conditions and remuneration. The Kolkata protest represents another chapter in their ongoing struggle for better recognition and improved service conditions within the public health system.
The protest highlights the continuing challenges faced by community health workers in India and their efforts to draw attention to their demands through organized demonstrations. The traffic disruption caused by the protest underscores how such labor actions can have significant ripple effects on urban infrastructure and daily life in major metropolitan areas like Kolkata.
