If your algorithm is synced with ours, you might have come across rainbow streets of Kolkata, or even travelled on one. This year, the festive makeover is going beyond pandals in the city.
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All images by Soumyajit Dey
Sections of Red Road and Gariahat Flyover have been painted in bright shades of red, pink, yellow and orange, turning everyday commutes into a colourful glimpse of the city’s biggest festival.
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Social media is flooded with drone shots of the streets. The spots have garnered the attention of vloggers who are taking to the streets to make reels.
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The beautification drive extends beyond surface roads. Gariahat and Chingrihata flyovers have been included in the drive. The ghats along the Hooghly are also being decorated ahead of the festival.
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Bengal’s BJP government is overseeing the initiative as it prepares for its first Durga Puja in power. The makeover has also prompted questions over public spending and road safety, with critics questioning whether the use of bright colours on busy roads should take priority over other civic needs.