Kolkata:
The Supreme Court has been calling for a serious cutback in the number of VIPs who are entitled to use red beacons or
lal battis on their cars, giving them right of way.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, may get rid of the
lal battis altogether.
"While there is an urgent need to check the misuse of beacons, the government is working on a proposal to change the red colour to maybe green, blue or even multifarious colours," state Transport Minister Madan Mitra said.
The minister told news agency IANS, "With the farewell to the red government (Left Front), we should give a farewell to red beacons."
The proposal has been sent to the chief minister for her approval.
In 2011, Ms Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress swept to power in state elections, ending a 34-year long term for the Left in Bengal.
Since her election, numerous government buildings, including police stations, park railings, road dividers and flyovers have been painted in blue and white - the chief minister's favourite colours, often seen even in the sarees she wears.
Under the new regime, the customary "red carpet welcome" has given way to green carpet welcome, with green carpets and mats used in government and party programmes. The organisers of such programmes also make it a point to use chairs which are green - the colour associated with the ruling party.