Gadkari's Master Plan: Aims To Halve Road Accident Fatalities By 2030

Updated: Monday, January 22, 2024, 11:05 [IST]

In a bid to address the grim statistics of road accident fatalities, the Indian government, under the guidance of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, has set a formidable goal.

The minister has emphasized the government's determination to slash the number of deaths resulting from road accidents by a significant 50 percent before the end of this decade. This announcement, made at a recent event held by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), underscores the magnitude of the road safety crisis in the country.

Strengthening Road Safety with the '4E' Strategy

Gadkari revealed a comprehensive strategy that pivots on the reinforcement of the '4E' principles—Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency medical services—as the cornerstone of enhancing road safety nationwide.

He stressed that altering societal behaviour is just as crucial as these tactical measures. Furthermore, he called for a concerted effort from all sectors of society to bolster the safety of India's roads.

The Alarming Statistics

India's road safety record is a cause for concern, with reports indicating a staggering 4.6 lakh road mishaps in 2022, which led to 1.68 lakh fatalities and left another four lakh individuals with serious injuries. Gadkari pointed out the perturbing frequency of these incidents, with an average of 53 accidents and 19 deaths occurring every hour.

He highlighted the economic impact of these accidents, which amounted to a loss of 3.14 per cent of the nation's GDP. The minister also shed light on the fact that a majority of the victims fall within the young and productive age bracket of 18-35 years.

Quality Infrastructure and Proactive Measures

Gadkari called upon the industry to improve the quality of detailed project reports, emphasizing that safety considerations should be deeply integrated into the planning phase of road construction. He assigned a significant portion of the responsibility to engineers, urging them to prioritize safety in their designs.

Further, he suggested an analytical approach towards 'blackspots', the notorious zones notorious for frequent accidents. He encouraged the industry to collaborate with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), state governments, and municipal bodies, and advocated for the publication of such critical data in newspapers to raise public awareness.

Thoughts About Improving Road Safety In India

As the nation moves forward, the collective efforts of government bodies, industry experts, and the citizenry will be pivotal in steering India towards a safer and more secure road transport system.