The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) have begun removing the freshly applied rainbow paint from flyovers after three motorbikes skidded on Wednesday after a spell of rain. The video of the incident on Chingrighata flyover was widely shared on social media, raising concerns over traction and road safety.
The authorities stepped in after a dashcam video showing the riders losing control one after another went viral.
Traffic was stopped on Wednesday night on certain stretches as authorities took corrective measures. Anti-skid measures, including special blocks to control vehicle speeds, were installed. At Gariahat flyover, officials attempted to remove the paint, while in Asansol, the administration, too, removed freshly applied paint from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Mor as a precaution.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday night, Urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul said, “Engineers and officials had been asked to investigate the Chingrighata incident. Teams from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, KMC, police and other departments are examining the circumstances behind the skids.”
Paul had earlier said that the colours were applied using anti-skid paint, not ordinary oil paint, and that the work was undertaken through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. She had also said the paint could be changed if it caused problems for motorists.
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The incident has brought scrutiny to the decision to colour busy roads ahead of the festival. In a representation to the state government, environmentalist and automobile safety expert S M Ghosh raised concerns over the use of glossy paint on motorable roads.
Ghosh in a Facebook post outlined his concerns. He wrote, “Gloss forms a smooth film. When wet with water, oil, diesel, the friction coefficient drops from 0.6-0.7 to below 0.3. Two-wheelers and cars will skid.”
He argued that road surfaces should retain their natural asphalt or concrete finish, with colours restricted to standard traffic markings. For decorative surfaces, he recommended anti-skid coloured surfacing containing bauxite chips instead of ordinary paint.
In a separate open letter to the urban development minister, Ghosh urged prioritising public safety, road repairs, drainage and ecological restoration rather than cosmetic changes alone.