A day after several videos on the internet showed Kolkata roads painted in bright colours like a rainbow ahead of the festival season, the authorities have scrubbed the paint off the road overnight.
This comes after several videos showed bikers skidding and falling in quick succession while travelling along the VIBGYOR-painted stretch of the flyover in Kolkata on Wednesday. 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.
According to NDTV, the Kolkata government has ordered the colour paint to be scrubbed from the flyover road. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered a probe on Wednesday, tasking Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand with examining the incident.
Meanwhile, opposition parties and environmentalists questioned the suitability of the paints used for road surfaces.
The state government said they had painted several road surfaces in the city in bright colours ahead of the festive season.
Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul said the Gariahat flyover in south Kolkata, the Chingrighata flyover in the east, and a stretch of Red Road in the heart of the city had been painted in rainbow colours while "keeping safety guidelines in mind".
However, within days, dashcam videos showed bikers skidding on the rainbow-coloured stretch of the Chingrighata flyover following rain.
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.
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.
If you see one, slow down before approaching painted intersections, sharp turns, and coloured road sections, especially in wet conditions.
Bikers should 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.
Lastly, never assume that a coloured lane automatically gives you priority or permission to change lanes.