NEW DELHI: Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday that the situation has worsened despite his initial commitment to cut accidents by 50% upon taking charge as the minister for road transport and highways.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on road safety, Gadkari said, “Forget about reducing the number of accidents, I have no hesitation to admit that it has increased. When I go to attend international conferences where there is a discussion on road accidents, I try to hide my face.”
Gadkari’s admission came during the Question Hour, where he also stressed the need for significant changes in human behavior, societal attitudes, and respect for the rule of law to improve road safety. Sharing a personal anecdote, the minister recounted a major accident involving him and his family several years ago, which required prolonged hospitalization.
“By the grace of God, I and my family were saved. So I have my personal experience of accidents,” he said.
Highlighting key factors contributing to road mishaps, Gadkari pointed to improper parking of trucks and lack of lane discipline as major issues. He noted that many accidents are caused by trucks parked haphazardly on roads. To address safety concerns, he announced directives for adopting international standards in bus body design, including equipping buses with hammers near windows for emergency escapes during accidents.
The minister painted a grim picture of road safety in India, revealing that road accidents claim 1.78 lakh lives annually, with 60% of victims falling within the 18-34 age group.
Among states, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of fatalities, with over 23,000 deaths accounting for 13.7% of total road accident deaths, followed by Tamil Nadu (18,000 deaths, or 10.6%), Maharashtra (15,000 deaths, or 9%), and Madhya Pradesh (13,000 deaths, or 8%).
In terms of cities, Delhi led the tally with over 1,400 deaths, followed by Bengaluru (915 deaths) and Jaipur (850 deaths).
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