Indian elections - Effect on travel

freenote · Mar 22nd, 2009, 18:59

The Indian elections start on the 16 April ,does anybody know what effect this will have on public transport and border crossings in the north of the country .Is it a safe time for a foreigner to travel ?

Nick-H · Mar 22nd, 2009, 20:12

Can I suggest an edit to the thread title

Indian elections - Effect on Travel?

That should deter the people like me who were looking forwards to a politicofest!

Mod Note : Done

Darmabum · Mar 22nd, 2009, 20:36

But, it does attract a-political people like me . . .

I was in India for elections in '89, from Calcutta to Varanasi and Delhi, Amritsar, then crossed into Pakistan at Wagah in late November.

The US State Department had issued a warning on their website that travel to India during that time was not wise. Not being wise, I went. The major change I saw (and I'd been to India once before, for five months in '82) was how quiet and reserved the usually vibrant Indian cities were. Being a multiple-returner to Varanasi, I especially remember that city. The usually packed night time streets and markets were barren. There seemed to be an increase of police activity, or was that because they seemed to be the only people on the streets.

As for travel, I don't remember it being affected at all. The crossing into Pakistan went smoothly.

delhiwala · Mar 23rd, 2009, 04:41

Varanasi like many other places in Eastern UP, is a political hot bed....with all the parties open to using any means to win election, usually people stay inside, till the whole drama is over......Whosoever wins we want to be safe....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darmabum

But, it does attract a-political people like me . . .

Being a multiple-returner to Varanasi, I especially remember that city. The usually packed night time streets and markets were barren. There seemed to be an increase of police activity, or was that because they seemed to be the only people on the streets.

As for travel, I don't remember it being affected at all. The crossing into Pakistan went smoothly.

edwardseco · Mar 23rd, 2009, 06:22

I didn't notice much except when IG was arrested..

lofty2304 · Mar 23rd, 2009, 07:29

yeah..not the best time to travel...too many traffic jams..ralies..aggitations...mo stly in the northern part though....maybe you will get lucky ..Cheers!

puchoo · Mar 23rd, 2009, 12:41

Depends on where you go to a degree i think... up in Himachal for example it would not affect a thing...a jam once in a while if there is a rally or something , but then a jam is not an uncommon occurrence to begin with..

At the same time ,places in UP , like Kanpur can become quite chaotic as i witnessed firsthand a few months ago...

bagins · Apr 4th, 2009, 00:57

We are arriving in Delhi on the 15th of May and moving on to Rajastan in a few days. I know the 16th is the day they declare the winner of the elections, so how is it in India right after the elections, are we going to have any problems getting around and is there a big chance of riats or other violence in case every body is not happy whit the results.

How long does it take for things to get back to normal?

Thank you

freenote · Apr 4th, 2009, 06:55

What is normal

It is India .

bagins · Apr 6th, 2009, 00:24

Yes yes I know

I mean Indian normal, I`ve spent a month in the south in february and there was loads of political ralies, cars whit megaphones driving around screaming propaganda... Once or twice it got to the point of beeing a bit scarry, people smacking on bus windows and so on and this was three months before the elections.

So once again my question is what is it like when they anounce the winner, do the selebrations (or) demonstartions last a long time or does it blow over quickley?

Cheers

steering · Apr 10th, 2009, 21:56

but take my word for granted . if bjp comes winning then there are changes of effects with foreign relations as well as domestic front.

think twice

patilsushant001 · Apr 10th, 2009, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagins

Yes yes I know

So once again my question is what is it like when they anounce the winner, do the selebrations (or) demonstartions last a long time or does it blow over quickley?

Cheers

Hi bagins,

I really dont think, there will be any problem after elections.. Even I would say, it is true while elections as well.
If there is something is going to happen, elections really does not matter. it can happen anytime.
Celebrations are usually restricted at party headquarters. It lasts not more than 1-2 days.

Mar 22nd, 2009, 18:59	#1
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,956	Indian elections - Effect on travel The Indian elections start on the 16 April ,does anybody know what effect this will have on public transport and border crossings in the north of the country .Is it a safe time for a foreigner to travel ? __________________ eyes ,eyes that have seen all , come back to the white chrysanthemum (Basho) Last edited by freenote : Mar 22nd, 2009 at 20:53.

Mar 22nd, 2009, 20:12	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,211	Can I suggest an edit to the thread title Indian elections - Effect on Travel? That should deter the people like me who were looking forwards to a politicofest! Mod Note : Done Last edited by nayan : Mar 22nd, 2009 at 23:54.

Mar 22nd, 2009, 20:36	#3
Darmabum On the Road, wherever I am Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho . . . now the red-rock plateau of southern Utah Posts: 1,110	But, it does attract a-political people like me . . . I was in India for elections in '89, from Calcutta to Varanasi and Delhi, Amritsar, then crossed into Pakistan at Wagah in late November. The US State Department had issued a warning on their website that travel to India during that time was not wise. Not being wise, I went. The major change I saw (and I'd been to India once before, for five months in '82) was how quiet and reserved the usually vibrant Indian cities were. Being a multiple-returner to Varanasi, I especially remember that city. The usually packed night time streets and markets were barren. There seemed to be an increase of police activity, or was that because they seemed to be the only people on the streets. As for travel, I don't remember it being affected at all. The crossing into Pakistan went smoothly. __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

Mar 23rd, 2009, 12:41	#7
puchoo Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 5,411	Depends on where you go to a degree i think... up in Himachal for example it would not affect a thing...a jam once in a while if there is a rally or something , but then a jam is not an uncommon occurrence to begin with.. At the same time ,places in UP , like Kanpur can become quite chaotic as i witnessed firsthand a few months ago... __________________ Cheers! Indiamike Mod team............ puchoo.wordpress.com

Apr 10th, 2009, 21:56	#11
steering Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: RLT, south india , chennai Posts: 153	but take my word for granted . if bjp comes winning then there are changes of effects with foreign relations as well as domestic front. think twice __________________ Always Expect the Unexpected !!

Mar 23rd, 2009, 06:22	#5
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,843	I didn't notice much except when IG was arrested..

Mar 23rd, 2009, 07:29	#6
lofty2304 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: faridabad Posts: 12	yeah..not the best time to travel...too many traffic jams..ralies..aggitations...mo stly in the northern part though....maybe you will get lucky ..Cheers!

Apr 4th, 2009, 00:57	#8
bagins Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Slovenija Posts: 10	We are arriving in Delhi on the 15th of May and moving on to Rajastan in a few days. I know the 16th is the day they declare the winner of the elections, so how is it in India right after the elections, are we going to have any problems getting around and is there a big chance of riats or other violence in case every body is not happy whit the results. How long does it take for things to get back to normal? Thank you

Apr 4th, 2009, 06:55	#9
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,956	What is normal It is India .

Apr 6th, 2009, 00:24	#10
bagins Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Slovenija Posts: 10	Yes yes I know I mean Indian normal, I`ve spent a month in the south in february and there was loads of political ralies, cars whit megaphones driving around screaming propaganda... Once or twice it got to the point of beeing a bit scarry, people smacking on bus windows and so on and this was three months before the elections. So once again my question is what is it like when they anounce the winner, do the selebrations (or) demonstartions last a long time or does it blow over quickley? Cheers

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