Travel Plans in Turmoil: Hoax Bomb Threats Shake Holiday Travelers Ahead of Diwali | Pune News
Pune: Several flyers are reconsidering their holiday plans, after a series of hoax bomb threats over the past week."So far, there have been hoax calls, but they are scary and have got me thinking. We have to travel to our hometown soon for Diwali. We have second thoughts now. My wife is really worried and wants me to cancel the trip. We have paid Rs.55,000 for non-refundable tickets to Delhi," Ajay Mathur, a Hinjewadi resident, said.Monali Dhar, set to return from Kolkata to Pune on November 1, said her parents were pressing her to stay for a few more days or opt for a train. "Travelling by train isn't safe either, considering the derailments. I am not scared though, and I can't cancel my return journey," she said.Travel and tour operators are in a piquant situation, after hoax bomb threats. Santosh Gupta, the owner of Shree Vinayak Holidays, said, "Customers are seeking assurance about flight departures, which I cannot guarantee. Some have even booked multiple flights with corporate tickets as a precautionary measure, hoping to avoid last-minute cancellation and additional costs. I am finding it difficult to manage customer expectations and provide them with the confidence they need to plan their travel."Nikesh Bhansali, the owner of Devam Tours and Travels, said, "The increased vigilance is essential at airports to ensure passengers' safety. Overall, there will be some inconvenience, but it should not deter people from celebrating Diwali with their loved ones. The recent bomb threats, while concerning, are unlikely to significantly impact travel plans for Diwali. Seasoned travellers are generally unfazed by such threats."Jyotsna Suresh, an IT professional living in Kharadi, is among unfazed travellers. Set to travel to Lucknow with her family on October 25, she said, "Why should we cancel our trip because of a few mischief-mongers? We have decided to reach the airport at least 3-4 hours in advance so that we have ample time for check-in and security checks."
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