Voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections witnessed strong participation on Wednesday, with voter turnout crossing 60% by early afternoon.

Polling was underway across 142 constituencies spread over several districts, including key seats in Kolkata, with security tightened to ensure smooth conduct of elections. According to available data, voter turnout reached around 61% by 1 pm, reflecting steady participation since the morning hours.

The polling process began early in the day, with voters lining up outside booths in both urban and rural areas. Authorities deployed extensive security personnel across sensitive locations to maintain order and prevent disruptions.

This phase marks a crucial stage in the state elections, covering a large number of constituencies and involving a high-stakes contest among major political parties. The scale of polling and the number of seats make it a decisive segment in determining the overall outcome.

Administrative measures, including restrictions and monitoring, were put in place to ensure free and fair voting. Preparations had been completed in advance, with election officials focusing on logistics, security arrangements, and voter accessibility.

The Election Commission had earlier intensified deployment of forces and oversight mechanisms, aiming to avoid disturbances and ensure a peaceful voting environment across polling stations.

Polling is scheduled to continue until the evening, after which sealed electronic voting machines will be stored securely until counting day.

Voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections began on Wednesday, with early reports of technical glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and isolated incidents of tension in some areas.

Polling is being held across multiple constituencies in parts of the state, with voters arriving at booths from the early hours. However, initial disruptions were reported at several locations, mainly due to malfunctioning EVMs.

Election officials responded to the complaints and worked to replace or repair faulty machines, ensuring that voting resumed with minimal delay. Authorities said most of the technical issues were resolved within a short time.

Alongside the glitches, there were reports of sporadic clashes and allegations of intimidation from certain districts, contributing to a tense atmosphere during the early phase of polling.

The political exchange also intensified, with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee alleging that central agencies were attempting to influence the electoral process. She claimed that party workers were being harassed and raised concerns over the conduct of the polls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, on the other hand, accused the ruling party of law and order failures and alleged that its workers faced disruptions in certain areas.

Despite the early issues, polling continued under tight security arrangements, with additional forces deployed at sensitive booths. Election authorities said they were closely monitoring the situation to ensure that voting proceeds smoothly.

This phase is considered significant in the overall election process, with key constituencies witnessing closely watched contests.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 28 flagged off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains, strengthening rail connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The newly launched weekly services will operate on two key routes — Varanasi (Banaras) to Hadapsar in Pune and Ayodhya to Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.

Improved connectivity between spiritual and economic hubs

The new trains are designed to link major spiritual centres like Varanasi and Ayodhya with important economic cities such as Pune and Mumbai. This is expected to improve travel convenience for passengers, including pilgrims and migrant workers.

The Ayodhya–Mumbai route, in particular, is likely to support religious tourism linked to the Ram Temple while also easing long-distance travel demand between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Focus on affordable and inclusive rail travel

The Amrit Bharat Express trains are aimed at providing affordable, non-AC long-distance travel with improved safety and comfort features. These services are part of a broader push to make rail transport more accessible to the common public.

Officials said the trains will run weekly and pass through multiple key stations across states, enhancing regional connectivity along the route.

Boost to indian railways network

The launch is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to expand railway infrastructure and improve connectivity across regions. With these additions, direct rail links between northern and western India are expected to become more efficient and accessible.