Kolkata municipal crews strip rainbow paint from flyovers after bikes skid on wet surface

What sparked the clean‑up

On Wednesday night, October 15, 2026, videos posted on X showed at least three motorcycles sliding on the rain‑slicked surface of the Chingrighata flyover. The footage went viral, prompting immediate safety concerns and a flurry of social‑media commentary.

Official response

Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul said the state had launched a Durga Puja beautification drive that painted the Gariahat and Chingrighata flyovers in orange, pink, green and yellow. She described the coating as an "anti‑skid" paint and clarified that the work was funded through corporate social‑responsibility (CSR) contributions, not public money.

Following the videos, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) deployed a scrubbing machine to the Gariahat bridge and sent crews to the Chingrighata flyover to wash off the pigment. KMC officials also installed rows of reflective road studs – commonly called "cat's eyes" – at 10‑metre intervals to improve grip.

Safety measures taken

In addition to the road studs, KMC workers scraped the Gariahat surface to make it rougher and laid specialised fibre‑paver blocks on the Chingrighata deck. These blocks are intended to increase friction and prevent water‑logging, the agency said.

Political dimension

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered a probe into why the painted surface became slippery. While the minister noted that “vehicles can skid for various reasons,” she stopped short of blaming the paint itself. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) both demanded answers, with the TMC asking who would bear the cost of removing the paint and the BJP questioning the decision‑making process.

Next steps

The investigation will involve engineers from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the Kolkata Police, and the Public Works Department. Authorities said they are also reviewing alternative, slip‑resistant materials for future beautification projects.

Context

The colourful makeover was part of a wider effort that also saw Red Road and several river‑front ghats adorned with festive motifs. While the initiative aimed to showcase communal harmony ahead of the festival, the incident underscores the administration’s commitment to rapid corrective action when public safety is at stake.

What remains unknown

It is not yet clear whether any riders sustained injuries in the skids, and the exact cause of the loss of traction is still under investigation.