Bikes skid on Kolkata's 'rainbow road', paint removed in 24 hours amid backlash

A fresh coat of paint meant to spruce up Kolkata’s Chingrighata flyover ahead of Durga Puja is being scraped off after motorcycles skidded on the rain-soaked surface on Wednesday.The crashes have sparked a political row over who paid for the makeover and who will foot the bill to undo it.West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul said corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds covered the painting, with no public money spent. The Trinamool Congress countered: whose money is being used to remove it?Dashboard camera footage showed riders losing control and falling on the brightly painted stretch as traffic moved past. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured. The flyover remained closed through Wednesday night as workers installed special fibre paver blocks to improve grip, reduce skidding and protect the surface from waterlogging and wear.MINISTER ORDERS PROBEPaul ordered a probe and said engineers had been sent to identify the cause of the skidding. Officials from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), Kolkata Police, Bidhannagar Police and the Public Works Department were examining the matter, she said. The minister maintained that anti-skid paint had been used but said it could be removed if it contributed to the crashes or caused visual discomfort. “It is not permanent paint. It will wash away when it rains,” she said.Paul said public safety was the priority and authorities were taking corrective steps.She also said police had been asked to examine the viral video after suggestions that it might be AI-generated. The incident appeared likely to be genuine, she added, but its authenticity would be established through an investigation.TMC QUESTIONS REMOVAL COSTThe Trinamool Congress posted a video of workers removing the paint and questioned Paul’s explanation about CSR funding.“Agnimitra Paul says the painting wasn’t done with public money. Fine, then tell us whose money is being used to remove it now?” the party said on X.It asked why the flyover had been painted if the coating had to be removed at the first sign of trouble. “Is this what governance looks like under the BJP? Bengal deserves answers, not excuses!” the Opposition party added.Paul hit back, accusing the TMC of neglecting roads, drains, parks and other civic facilities during its 15 years in power.The Chingrighata flyover is among several structures being painted in orange, pink and yellow as part of Kolkata’s makeover ahead of Durga Puja. However, the crashes have brought the safety of painted road surfaces under scrutiny.- Ends