Bangladeshis advised caution over accommodation in Kolkata

The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata has issued special guidelines for Bangladeshi citizens travelling to the Indian city following a recent fire incident.

The mission advised travellers visiting Kolkata for medical treatment or other purposes to confirm their hotel bookings in advance and check several details before leaving Bangladesh.

The guidelines were issued in a notice on Thursday.

The notice said local authorities had taken various measures following the fire in Kolkata on 19 August. In view of the situation, Bangladeshi travellers were urged to follow the guidelines to avoid any untoward circumstances.

Travellers have been advised to confirm their hotel reservations before visiting Kolkata and verify the hotel's current operational status, room availability and location.

Those accompanying patients travelling to Kolkata for medical treatment have also been advised to confirm hotel bookings before departure.

They should also verify the availability of rooms, validity of the booking, distance between the hotel and the hospital, and other necessary facilities in advance, according to the notice.

The Deputy High Commission said local authorities had temporarily closed accident-prone residential hotels and restaurants following the recent tragic fire as part of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Local authorities have said it could take more than a month for such establishments to reopen after complying with safety regulations and other requirements.

Against this backdrop, the mission has strongly advised Bangladeshi citizens not to travel to Kolkata without confirming accommodation in advance, in order to avoid facing difficulties in finding a place to stay.