Full Breakdown
Rainbow Flyovers in Kolkata Raise Safety Alarm Ahead of Durga Puja
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Viral Video Shows Bikers Skidding on Painted Flyover
On October 14, 2026, a dash-cam recording circulated on social media showing three motorcyclists losing control on the Chingrihata flyover after a brief rain shower. The flyover, freshly painted in rainbow colours as part of a city-wide beautification effort, appeared slick, prompting immediate online debate about the safety of the new surface.
Background: Durga Puja-Season Beautification Drive
The West Bengal government has been applying bright, multicoloured paints to several urban structures, including the Gariahat and Chingrihata flyovers and a stretch of Red Road. The initiative, promoted by Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul, is presented as a celebration of the city’s heritage and a visual showcase for the upcoming Durga Puja festival. The minister has indicated that the paints are expected to fade within a few months and that the work is financed through corporate social-responsibility contributions rather than direct taxpayer funding.
Official Statements & Responses
Minister Paul told reporters that the coloured surfaces were applied “keeping safety guidelines in mind” and emphasized that the rainbow palette was not intended to reference any particular community. She described the artwork as a symbol of “trust, love and brotherhood” and invited residents to view the installations. The minister also noted that the decorative motifs, known locally as alpana, were drawn at key intersections such as the Park Circus seven-point crossing.
Criticism & Opposition
Congress West Bengal general secretary Ashutosh Chatterjee wrote to Minister Paul and Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey, warning that glossy household paints can dramatically reduce tyre grip. He cited technical standards (IRC:35-2015) that restrict the use of ordinary paints on motorable roadways. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) labeled the painted flyover a “death trap” and accused the ruling BJP-aligned administration of endangering commuters. Environmentalist and green technologist Somendra Mohan Ghosh echoed the safety concerns, noting that the paints lack anti-skid additives and could conceal potholes. Activist Naba Dutta questioned whether the purpose and impact of the colourful road treatment had been adequately communicated to the public.
Data & Safety Assessment
According to the letter from Chatterjee, the coefficient of friction for a dry road surface (approximately 0.6–0.7) can fall below 0.3 when glossy oil-based paint becomes wet with water, oil or diesel, markedly increasing the risk of skidding for two-wheelers and cars. Ghosh added that road-marking materials prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress provide superior durability, reflectivity and skid resistance compared with conventional oil paints.