What was meant to be a mood changer for festive goers during the Durga Puja celebrations has turned into a ‘death trap’, as the Mamata Banerjee faction of Trinamool Congress (TMC) terms it. Some roads in the city were painted in multiple colours and a viral video shows commuters on motorcycles skidding on the road on Chingrighata flyover amid light rain.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered a probe after the video went viral on social media and there were complaints of the colours being too bright for commuters apart from the question on whether anti-skid paint was used. The government, however, says that anti-skid paint was used and not oil paints, and is working to make the coloured roads safe for motorists.
Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul visited the coloured roads and also sent engineers to the spot. Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), Kolkata Police Commissioner of Police and Director General Police (DGP), DG Fire and Public Works Department (PWD) are working together to tackle the situation.
“Anti-skid paint has been used, and not oil paint. Despite that why they (motorists) skidded, I don’t know. Engineers will be able to say,” Paul said.
She added that the colours are in line with Durga Puja festivities, and not a permanent feature but a CSR initiative by a company that makes paints. “This was not done using government money; it was done using CSR funds to beautify our city. If police feel it is too bright for motorists, then we will change it because it is not that money is being wasted.”
There were reports of paint being removed from Gariahat flyover. However, according to reports, only the top coat of paint is being removed and speed breakers are being installed to prevent overspeeding and accidents.
The Mamata faction questioned the need to paint the roads in the first place if the paint was to be removed later.
There are traditional ‘alpona’ motifs too to beautify the roads to symbolise brotherhood, love and public trust.
