The West Bengal government has ordered an enquiry after a purported dashcam video appeared to show bikers skidding on Kolkata’s newly painted “rainbow” flyover, prompting road-safety concerns and criticism from the Opposition. Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said officials had been directed to visit the site and determine the cause of the incident.
“The chief minister (Suvendu Adhikari) has instructed officials to visit the spot and inspect the matter immediately. The officials have been directed to investigate the cause of the accident,” Paul told mediapersons on Wednesday. She added that the government would consider an alternative arrangement if the colours were found to strain motorists’ eyes while driving.
The road painting was carried out ahead of Durga Puja and includes alpona, traditional floral motifs associated with Bengali heritage and tradition. Paul said the paint was not permanent and rejected claims that glossy paint had been used on the flyover. “We have used anti-skid paint,” she said.
The controversy began after the video circulated online. A Congress leader had earlier written to Paul and Smita Pandey, commissioner and administrator of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, warning that painting the carriageway used by vehicle tyres could create a safety risk. Ashutosh Chatterjee, general secretary of the state Congress unit, said glossy surfaces could become particularly dangerous when wet with water, oil or diesel.
Chatterjee claimed that the coefficient of friction of a painted road surface could fall from 0.6–0.7 to below 0.3 in such conditions, increasing the possibility of two-wheelers and cars skidding. He also argued that ordinary oil paint does not offer the same technical performance, durability or visibility as road-marking materials, including those containing glass beads.
The Trinamool Congress faction said the flyover had become a “death trap” after the first spell of rain and alleged that the road treatment was putting lives at risk. The party called for Paul to be held accountable. These claims are part of the political criticism surrounding the incident and will be examined as part of the government-ordered enquiry.
Environmental and green technology expert Somendra Mohan Ghosh told The Indian Express that ordinary paint of different shades appeared to have been used instead of thermoplastic paint. He said such paints do not contain anti-skid materials. The report did not independently establish the type of paint used on the flyover.
Paul also said that no government money had been used for the road-painting initiative. According to the minister, the work was funded through Corporate Social Responsibility funds after a paint company was requested to support the city beautification exercise. The minister said the initiative was intended to make Kolkata look attractive during the Puja period.
The enquiry will determine the cause of the reported skidding and assess whether the painted surface, road conditions or another factor contributed to the incident. Officials have been instructed to inspect the spot immediately, while the government has said changes will be considered if the treatment is found to affect driving safety.
