Amid growing concern over India’s alarming road safety record, the Modi government has convened a high-level inter-ministerial meeting on road safety scheduled for December 23, focusing on reducing road accidents and fatalities across the country.
The meeting, to be attended by officials from multiple ministries, road safety experts, and representatives from technical institutions, will deliberate on key contributors to road accidents, including poor road conditions, incomplete infrastructure projects, overspeeding, traffic violations, and delays in post-accident medical treatment.
According to official data shared by Nitin Gadkari, India witnesses nearly 5 lakh road accidents every year, resulting in approximately 1.8 lakh deaths annually. Alarmingly, around 66% of fatalities involve people aged between 18 and 34 years, highlighting the severe impact on the country’s young population.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari termed the figures “deeply concerning,” noting that despite continuous efforts such as improved road engineering, stricter enforcement, and enhanced monitoring, the problem persists. He added that overspeeding alone accounts for nearly one lakh deaths each year.
Focus on Faster Emergency Response
A major thrust of the government’s strategy is improving post-accident emergency care. Gadkari said the Centre is working on a plan to ensure ambulance services reach accident sites within 10 minutes of receiving information.
An Indian Institute of Management (IIM) study suggests that timely medical intervention could potentially save up to 50,000 lives annually.
Winter Fog Adds to Risk
Winter fog has further aggravated road safety challenges. Gadkari noted that reduced visibility significantly increases accident risks. Recent incidents underline the concern:
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December 16: 13 people died in a fog-related accident in Mathura
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December 14: 12 fatalities reported across 20 fog-related accidents in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana
Government data indicates that 34,262 road accidents were caused by fog in 2022 alone.
Technology-Driven Solutions Under Review
The meeting is also expected to explore technology-based safety interventions, including real-time accident alert systems for highways. According to Abhijeet Sinha, Director of the National Highway Electric Vehicle Project, despite India being among the world’s highest infrastructure spenders after China, congestion and accidents remain persistent challenges.
Officials are examining whether vehicles can be equipped with systems that automatically alert nearby traffic and emergency services in the event of an accident. A pilot project for such technology is under consideration.
With road accidents increasing by 2–3% annually, the December 23 meeting aims to arrive at concrete, actionable solutions to curb fatalities, enforce speed regulation, improve infrastructure quality, and leverage technology for safer mobility.
