- Motorcycles skidded on Kolkata's Chingrighata Flyover, raising safety concerns.
- West Bengal government ordered investigation into coloured road surfaces.
- Painted roads can be slippery when wet, lacking anti-skid properties.
Coloured roads are becoming increasingly common in cities, on highways, in cycle lanes, and in pedestrian zones. From bright red bus lanes to green bicycle paths and blue-painted intersections, these surfaces are designed to improve road visibility, guide traffic, and enhance safety.
However, a recent incident on the Chingrighata Flyover has raised questions about whether these colourful surfaces are compromising road safety, particularly during the monsoon and other wet-weather conditions.
A video that went viral on social media showed motorcyclists skidding and falling in quick succession while travelling along the VIBGYOR-painted stretch of the flyover on Wednesday in Kolkata. The footage reportedly captured the riders losing control on the rain-soaked surface, bringing the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and the Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners (HRBC) under scrutiny.
Kolkata - The West Bengal government has ordered an investigation after a video purportedly showing motorcycles skidding on the rain-soaked Chingrighata Flyover in Kolkata went viral on social media. The incident has raised concerns over road safety, with some people alleging that the recently applied colourful decorations for the Durga Puja festivities may have made the road surface slippery. According to sources in the Bidhannagar Traffic Police, two motorcycles reportedly skidded on the flyover at around 12:30 PM. No serious injuries were reported in the incidents.
— NextMinute News (@nextminutenews7) October 14, 2026
The West Bengal government has since ordered an investigation into the incident. Concerns have also been raised over whether the colourful decorations recently applied to the flyover for the Durga Puja festivities may have affected the road surface’s grip. However, no serious injuries were reported.
But does adding colour to a road actually make it safer? Not necessarily. The benefits depend on the materials used, road conditions, weather, maintenance, and how drivers respond to the markings.
Some coloured coatings can become slippery when wet, especially if they lack suitable anti-skid aggregates or have worn smooth. Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles may be particularly vulnerable when braking or turning on these surfaces.
Recently, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and the Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners (HRBC) came under scrutiny after a video showed three motorcyclists skidding and falling on the colour-painted Chingrighata Flyover in Kolkata on Wednesday.
The video shows the riders travelling cautiously along the painted VIBGYOR stretch before falling in quick succession. The footage, reportedly showing motorcycles skidding on the rain-soaked flyover, went viral on social media.
The West Bengal government has since ordered an investigation into the incident.
Do Kolkata’s Coloured Roads Pose a Safety Risk?
Coloured road surfaces are used in cities to distinguish traffic lanes, improve navigation and make specific stretches more visible to motorists. In Kolkata, however, the Chingrighata incident has highlighted the need to assess whether such treatments are suitable for the city’s road conditions, particularly during heavy rainfall.
Who did this?? To paint roads in Kolkata in Bright colours. 😰 Who approved this stupidity?? Its highly distracting to drive on a painted roads. ⚠️ The paint will make road slippery and unsafe to drive. It will increase accidents. Might be some -40 marks Engineer approved this. India is doomed!
— The Himanshu View (@Himanshusview) October 12, 2026
The safety of a painted road depends not simply on its colour but on the materials used, the surface texture, the quality of application and its resistance to skidding. Some coatings can become slippery when wet, especially if they lack adequate anti-skid aggregates or become smooth through wear.
Here are some things drivers should know about coloured roads:
-Slow down before approaching painted intersections, sharp turns, and coloured road sections, especially in wet conditions.
- Avoid sudden braking, acceleration, or sharp steering that could cause a loss of traction.
- Keep the motorcycle or scooter as upright as practical when crossing painted sections, particularly when the surface is wet.
-Never assume that a coloured lane automatically gives you priority or permission to change lanes.
-Poorly maintained coatings may fade, peel, crack, or wear unevenly, reducing visibility and creating inconsistent levels of grip. These defects can pose additional risks for two-wheelers.
At last, coloured roads can be safe, but colour alone is not a safety feature. Appropriate materials, adequate skid resistance, professional installation, and regular maintenance are essential to ensure that coloured surfaces improve road safety rather than introduce new hazards.