Coordinating colours: PWD orders uniform shades of blue and white for use

Kolkata: To bring uniformity in the shades of blue and white used to paint structures throughout the state, the Public Works department (PWD) has been entrusted to coordinate with the various agencies carrying out the job.

The instruction has been issued from Nabanna, the state administrative headquarters.

The decision has been taken after it was found that various agencies were using different shades of blue and white to paint structures like bridges, railings, culverts and government offices and buildings. As a result, it had become difficult to maintain the quality of the colours. It has been found that some agencies were using poor quality colours and hence, the structures had to be painted more than once every year resulting in wasteful expenditure.

Agencies like Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), KMC, Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) will now be using the same variety of blue and white to bring uniformity in the quality of colour and shades that are used to paint the structures.

Similarly, in the districts, the Zilla Parishads, municipalities and the panchayats are found to be using different shades of blue and white as a result of which there is disparity in the look and feel of the constructions — some look bright while others look shabby and dull. It may be recalled that after coming to power in 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had decided to paint state government buildings, offices and bridges in blue and white. There was serious criticism by the Left parties which she ignored and went ahead with the project. Justifying her move, Banerjee had said that blue and white had been used as they signify "positivity".

Breaking the age-old convention that police stations should be painted in red, many such structures, particularly those that have come up after 2011, have been painted in blue and white. Blue and white is now the official colour of the state government and those who come to the city from other states or countries have appreciated the marked change in the city's look that has taken place in the past few years.

A senior state government official said a control in the quality of colour and shade was felt and the new system will make the structures painted in blue and white bright and the colour will last for a much longer period of time.

As an incentive, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is allowing a relaxation in

property tax for buildings that have been painted in blue and white. Many private offices have painted the interiors in blue and white as the colour combination looks smart and elegant.