Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 22, 2025, Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee finally left for London on Saturday night at around 8:30 PM, following a delay caused by a fire near London’s Heathrow Airport. She arrived at Dum Dum Airport precisely at 6:30 PM and, before entering, addressed reporters, delivering a message of assurance and hope to the people of the state.
“We may be away for 4-5 days, but we will always remain in touch with the people here. If anyone faces any difficulties, we will address them. Stay healthy and at peace,” she said.
Initially, Mamata Banerjee and her delegation were scheduled to depart on a morning flight via Dubai. However, on Friday morning, operations at Heathrow Airport were disrupted after a fire broke out at a power plant near the airport, leading to widespread flight cancellations. As a result, her travel plans had to be postponed. With the situation now under control, the Chief Minister opted for a night flight instead.
In her absence, a five-member task force, formed under her directive, will oversee administrative operations. However, she reiterated that she would personally stay connected and intervene if necessary.
Speaking at the airport on Saturday, Banerjee acknowledged the delay and the challenges of the long journey. “Our night flight will take us to Dubai around midnight, followed by another flight to London. Since there is no direct service, the journey will take nearly two days. It will be quite hectic, but that’s okay,” she remarked.
Despite the travel complications, the Chief Minister reassured that she remains committed to her responsibilities, ensuring that governance continues smoothly even while she is abroad.
