The West Bengal government has installed road studs and roughened the surface of rainbow-painted flyovers after motorcycles skidded on a stretch following rainfall, officials said on Thursday.
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 accidents were 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 spots and assured people of taking alternative measures if commuters faced difficulties.
However, on Thursday, she said the administration could not establish the reason behind the skidding of the motorcycles.
"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," Paul said.