A tale of two colours

Indian paint companies are strengthening their production of blue and white shades. The canvas: Kolkata. Since, early this year, the West Bengal government announced the repainting of the city in these colours in tune with its motto—the sky is the limit—paint firms have been celebrating. “We expect a heightened demand from Kolkata in the coming months,” says Pushkar Jain, managing director, Dulux Exterior Paints, the brand from AkzoNobel India. The exercise comes nearly 150 years after Jaipur in Rajasthan was painted pink in honour of Prince Albert Edward’s visit. Flyovers, bridges, road dividers, tree trunks, roadside railings, lamp posts, bollards, public buildings, iconic structures, and city taxis will all change colour. The government has apparently allocated Rs 80 crore for the drive. For Dulux, the Kolkata connection is long-standing. “Some of the most iconic structures such as the Writers’ Buildings, Howrah Station, and the Vidyasagar Setu have been painted with our products,” says Jain. But the real opportunity lies with home owners who have been promised concessions in property tax if they paint their residences blue and white. Get your quotes and coats soon.