NEW DELHI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government has undertaken several initiatives to curb road accidents and emphasized the need for public participation in tackling what he described as a “social problem.”
Speaking at an industry event in the national capital, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways acknowledged that while the government has achieved success in many areas, road safety remains a significant challenge.
“Road accidents are a serious social issue. We have made progress in many sectors, but not enough here,” he said.
Gadkari revealed that around 5 lakh road accidents occur annually in India, resulting in nearly 1.80 lakh fatalities. He urged citizens to strictly follow traffic rules for their own safety.
“I appeal to everyone—obey traffic signals, wear helmets when riding two-wheelers, and drive responsibly,” he said in response to a question on reducing accident rates.
To enhance road safety, the government has introduced various measures, including:
- Mandatory six airbags in four-wheelers
- Implementation of electronic braking systems in two-wheelers
- Stricter penalties for traffic violations
However, Gadkari stressed that public awareness is the most crucial factor. “Regulations can only go so far. Without public cooperation, we cannot bring about real change,” he noted.
The government is also conducting awareness campaigns in 22 languages across different levels to educate people and reduce road mishaps. Gadkari expressed hope that these initiatives, combined with active public involvement, will significantly lower accident figures.
Additionally, the minister mentioned that 100 road safety audits have been carried out nationwide, and he plans to hold a press conference to share detailed findings after the ongoing Parliament session concludes.
On the infrastructure front, Gadkari announced that road projects worth ₹2 lakh crore have already been awarded, with a target to increase this to ₹5 lakh crore by March next year. The long-term goal is to award projects totaling ₹10 lakh crore annually.
Highlighting improvements in logistics, he cited a study showing that logistics costs—previously at 16% of GDP—have declined due to enhanced road infrastructure. The government aims to reduce this further to 9% by December.
