Viral videos purportedly showing two-wheelers skidding on Kolkata's newly painted rainbow-coloured roads after rain have raised a serious safety question for the state government. The videos, circulating on social media, have triggered concerns over the brightly painted surfaces laid out as part of the city's pre-Durga Puja beautification drive.
The central question the controversy has raised is simple: can a road be made beautiful at the cost of making it unsafe? National Herald has not independently verified the videos.
Why Kolkata's Rainbow Roads Are Facing Safety Questions
The painted roads were part of a beautification effort ahead of Durga Puja. But after rain, the videos circulating online appeared to show two-wheelers losing grip on the painted surface. That has put the choice of paint and materials used for the makeover directly under the scanner.
Experts have questioned the materials used on these roads. They have also urged the government to prioritise road repairs over decoration. Their concern is straightforward — a road's first job is to keep people safe, and decoration should not come at the cost of that.
Minister Says CSR Funds Paid for the Makeover
Minister Agnimitra Paul said CSR funds had paid for the makeover. This means the rainbow roads were not funded directly from the state treasury, but through corporate social responsibility money.
The controversy has put the state government in an uncomfortable position. On one side is the push to make the city look good before a major festival. On the other is the basic question of whether the surface is safe for daily commuters, especially two-wheeler riders who are most exposed to skidding.
Our Take: Safety Cannot Be Sacrificed for Beautification
In our view, this controversy is not really about paint or colours. It is about priorities. A city can and should look beautiful, especially before a festival as big as Durga Puja. But that beauty means nothing if a rider slips and gets hurt on the way to work.
To put it plainly, the government needs to answer two questions clearly. First, were the materials used on these roads tested for grip and safety, especially in wet conditions? Second, if experts are already raising concerns, will the government act on them before more people get hurt?
The videos may not be independently verified yet, but the concern they raise is real and deserves a proper response. Road repairs should come first. Decoration can follow. Readers in Kolkata should watch for an official statement on whether these painted surfaces will be reviewed or changed.
