Kolkata’s painted flyovers are under investigation after multiple motorcyclists reportedly crashed on the Chingrighata flyover following rain, with the state government ordering officials to examine whether the road coating contributed to the incidents. Engineers from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) were also reported to have begun work to reduce slipperiness at the site.
The accidents occurred on Wednesday afternoon after rainfall led to water accumulation on the Chingrighata flyover, where the road had been covered with paint as part of preparations for Durga Puja. The Gariahat and Park Circus Seven Point flyovers were also among the structures that received coloured road coatings under a city beautification initiative.
Municipal minister Agnimitra Paul said the Chief Minister had directed officials to examine complaints related to the painted flyovers. She said specialist engineers and officials from the relevant departments had been asked to determine why the accidents occurred. According to the report, the administration is examining whether the material used on the roads was anti-skid, as officials have maintained.
“The paint used on the road is anti-skid. There should be no question of motorcycles falling. But why the accident happened is being investigated,” Paul said, according to the report. She also said an alternative could be considered if the road treatment was found to be causing difficulties for residents or affecting visibility for motorists.
The issue gained attention after a video showing motorcyclists apparently falling on the rain-soaked Chingrighata flyover circulated widely on social media. The source report said it had not independently verified the video. Complaints have focused on whether the painted surface became slippery when wet, particularly for two-wheeler riders, and whether the bright colours affected drivers’ vision.
The controversy has placed the road-safety performance of decorative surface treatments under scrutiny. Flyovers carry fast-moving traffic, and motorcycles have less tyre contact and stability than larger vehicles, making the interaction between surface material, rainwater and road grip important to the investigation. The source report did not provide details of the paint specification, application method, skid-resistance test results or the number of people injured.
Paul said the administration would consider changing the treatment if police or technical officials found that it was creating problems. Following her instructions, KMDA and KMC engineers reportedly reached the site at night and began work intended to ensure that the painted road surface would not remain slippery. The investigation is expected to establish the cause of the crashes and guide any decision on the painted surfaces at the affected flyovers.
