Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, speaking in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, voiced his discomfort and embarrassment about representing India at international forums on road safety. “When I attend international conferences on road accidents, I try to hide my face,” he confessed, highlighting India’s alarming road safety statistics.
India records approximately 1.78 lakh road fatalities annually, with 60 percent of victims aged between 18 and 34. Uttar Pradesh leads in road deaths with over 23,000 cases per year, followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
A Worsening Crisis
Gadkari, who set an ambitious goal in 2014 to reduce road accidents by 50 percent, acknowledged the worsening situation. During the Question Hour in Parliament, he admitted, “Forget about reducing the number of accidents; I have no hesitation to admit that it has increased.”
One critical issue, he noted, is the lack of immediate medical intervention. A joint report by NITI Aayog and AIIMS reveals that 30 percent of road accident deaths occur due to delays in emergency medical treatment. To address this, the government has introduced an insurance scheme covering up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days of free emergency treatment.
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Causes and Solutions
Gadkari pointed to several factors contributing to road accidents, including poorly maintained roads, improper vehicle parking, especially by trucks, and the failure to follow traffic laws. He also emphasized the importance of adhering to international safety standards in vehicle manufacturing, such as equipping buses with emergency hammers to break windows.
Drawing from personal experience, Nitin Gadkari shared how he and his family narrowly escaped an accident, stating, “By God’s grace, my family and I were saved. This experience fuels my resolve to improve road safety.”
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India’s road safety crisis demands urgent action. Gadkari’s call to improve infrastructure, enforce traffic laws, and prioritize emergency response underscores the need for a multi-pronged approach. As the minister continues to advocate for change, the challenge remains significant, but the resolve to save lives could pave the way for transformative solutions.
