Kolkata, Oct 15 (PTI) The West Bengal government has installed road studs on a rainbow-painted flyover and roughened the surface of a bridge in Kolkata after three motorcycles reportedly skidded on the flyover following rainfall, officials said on Thursday.
Dashcam video from a car purportedly showed three motorcyclists skidding and falling down on a painted stretch of Chingrighata Flyover following rainfall on Wednesday. The video went viral on social media, but PTI could not independently verify its authenticity.
An official of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) said rows of ‘cat’s eye’ road studs have been installed at intervals of 10 metres on the rainbow-painted stretch of Chingrighata Flyover, and the surface of Gariahat Bridge has been scraped to make it rougher and increase friction to prevent accidents.
Several roads in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal have been painted in rainbow colours, with ‘alpana’ designs in some stretches, as part of beautification initiatives ahead of Durga Puja.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had said on Wednesday there was no information that the accident was caused due to the road painting, while Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul said anti-skid paints were used.
Paul had said that officials concerned had visited the spot, and she had assured people of considering alternative measures if commuters faced difficulties.
However, on Thursday, she said the administration could not establish the reason behind the skidding of the motorcycles.
Though three motorcycles were seen skidding on the viral video, the minister claimed two two-wheelers were involved in the accident.
“Two motorcycles had reportedly skidded on a flyover yesterday, but we cannot say with certainty what caused it. Vehicles can skid due to various reasons,” she added.
The minister said it would be premature to conclude that the accidents occurred due to the painting.
“It could or could not be because of the painting. Senior officials have examined the matter. Cat’s eyes road studs have been installed on Chingrighata Flyover and the surface of Gariahat Bridge has been roughened to increase friction and prevent such accidents,” Paul said.
Attacking the state government over the incident, Mamata AITC MLA Kunal Ghosh said, “Why did you childishly apply such an unscientific and dangerous colour if you had to remove it?”
Paul accused Ghosh of politicising a beautification drive, which she said was part of a CSR project.
“Ghosh, who was a Ponzi scam accused, has no right to falsely accuse the government of splurging money on beautification,” she said.
Opposition Congress, Mamata AITC and CPI(M) had on Wednesday attacked the government, raising questions on the safety implications of the beautification drive ahead of Durga Puja, the state’s biggest festival. PTI SUS ACD
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