‘Insufficient evidence’: Kolkata Police chief rejects link between Chingrighata flyover paint, accidents

Two-wheeler movement on Kolkata's Chingrighata flyover will be prohibited during rain as a precautionary measure following a series of accidents, Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda said on Thursday, adding that there was no conclusive evidence linking the incidents to the painted road surface.

Nanda said experts involved in the painting work had informed police that the paint used on the stretch had anti-skid properties.

"There is insufficient evidence to establish that the accidents happened because of the painting. Experts responsible for the work have informed us that the paint has anti-skid properties. When applied over bitumen, it should not cause the wheels of motorcycles or other vehicles to skid," he claimed.

The controversy erupted after videos of several motorcyclists skidding and falling on the painted surface of the flyover during Wednesday's rain went viral on social media.

Allegations subsequently emerged that oil on the painted surface had made the road slippery, triggering the accidents.

Explaining the possible causes, Nanda pointed to driver negligence, the sharp bend on the flyover and wet road conditions.

"From what we have learnt so far, the motorcyclists may have been attempting to make reels or videos while riding in the rain, which could have caused them to lose their balance. The stretch also has a sharp bend, where excessive speed during rain can lead to accidents. Motorcycles skidding in wet conditions is not unusual," he said.

The West Bengal government has installed road studs on the rainbow-painted flyover and roughened its surface after three motorcycles reportedly skidded on it following rainfall.

Nanda clarified that the restriction on motorcycle movement during rainfall would apply only to the Chingrighata flyover and not to the Gariahat flyover.

The Gariahat flyover does not have a sharp bend similar to the one on the Chingrighata stretch, and therefore, no comparable restriction was being considered there, he added.