Nepal crisis forces families to drop Durga Puja travel plans, Kolkata travel operators hit hard

Kathmandu, Nepal

For many Bengali families, Durga Puja is the season to head out on holidays, with Nepal often topping the list for its affordability, ease of access and the absence of passport requirements. But this year, plans have been thrown into disarray as escalating political unrest in the Himalayan nation has forced airlines and tour operators to suspend services, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded with cancellations.

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According to a report by The Indian Express, both Air India and IndiGo have halted flights to Nepal, while Buddha Air, the country’s leading carrier, has been unable to launch its much-anticipated direct service between Kolkata and Kathmandu. The airline had planned to resume operations on September 1 after a six-year hiatus, but permissions remain pending.

Travel agencies in Kolkata say the sudden disruption has come at the worst possible time, with festive season bookings already in full swing. “We had around 40 people travelling to Nepal during this Durga Puja — one group and some customised departures. People are sceptical about going at this moment, so we are giving them alternatives,” Riddhi Roy of Dolphin Travels was quoted by The Indian Express as saying. She added that those holding passports were being redirected to Bhutan or Thailand, while domestic options such as Arunachal Pradesh or the Dooars in North Bengal were also being offered.

Yet, choices are narrowing rapidly. Travel-friendly destinations across the region have been shrinking due to both natural disasters and security concerns. From a terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year to devastating floods in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, frequent disruptions have reduced the pool of safe, affordable holiday spots.

“Slowly, travel-friendly options for Bengalis are reducing because of political disturbances and natural calamities. People go on holidays for peace and tranquillity, no one wants to be harassed,” Soumitra Kundu of Kundu Travels was cited by The Indian Express.

For agencies, refund uncertainty is emerging as a major challenge. Many families had booked flights and hotels in advance and with the cancellations piling up, questions over reimbursements remain unresolved. Anita Bagchi, who had planned her first trip abroad in four years with her husband after the birth of their child, told The Indian Express, “We had booked tickets and hotels online. There is no chance of going to Nepal now, but we don’t know if we will be refunded. It is a lot of money. This year, we will not make any other plan.”

The financial strain, travel operators warn, is being compounded by soaring costs at alternative destinations. According to The Indian Express, Anil Punjabi of Ares Travels Pvt Ltd, who is also a member of the Travel Agents Federation of India, said his firm had handled between 100 and 150 Nepal bookings until early September, all of which had to be cancelled following the outbreak of violence. He noted that this period is usually the only time when schools, colleges and offices shut simultaneously, making it ideal for family holidays.

While alternatives are being arranged, Punjabi pointed out that prices are nearly double, stretching budgets further. He emphasised that safety remained the priority and said clients were being advised to choose destinations where they might have relatives in case of emergencies.

The disappointment has been particularly acute for last-minute travellers without passports. As cited by The Indian Express, Alipore resident Reshmi Das had planned to take her parents on a short break during a rare five-day holiday. With Nepal trips scrapped and alternative options proving too costly, she decided to abandon her plans altogether, saying she would simply monitor the situation for now.