July 29,2025:
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday informed Parliament that 26,770 people lost their lives in road accidents on national highways in the first six months of 2025. The data, presented during the ongoing monsoon session of the Lok Sabha, highlights the persistent road safety crisis in the country despite ongoing government efforts.
Responding to a question raised in the House, Gadkari said that a total of 52,209 accidents were reported on national highways between January and June 2025, resulting in 26,770 deaths and 46,400 injuries. The minister stressed that the high number of fatalities underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement of traffic laws and improved road infrastructure.
“Over-speeding, reckless driving, and failure to adhere to traffic norms are among the major causes of these accidents,” Gadkari said. He added that the government is working on a multi-pronged strategy to enhance road safety and minimize fatalities.
Among the key initiatives cited by the minister is the identification and rectification of black spots—locations that are prone to accidents—on national highways. So far, over 7,000 such spots have been identified across the country, and efforts are ongoing to redesign them to reduce risks.
The minister also highlighted the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, which aims to phase out old and unfit vehicles from Indian roads, and the implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for better traffic management and real-time monitoring of road conditions.
Gadkari reiterated India’s commitment to the United Nations target of reducing road accident deaths by 50% by 2030. However, experts remain concerned about enforcement challenges, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities where road discipline and traffic management often remain inadequate.
According to the Road Accidents in India Report 2024 released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India had recorded over 1.68 lakh road fatalities, with national highways accounting for more than 35% of total deaths. The 2025 mid-year data suggests that the country remains on a similar trajectory unless more aggressive and community-centric measures are introduced.
Transport safety experts have called for stricter implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, regular road safety audits, and awareness campaigns to educate drivers about responsible road behavior.
With nearly one death every 10 minutes occurring on national highways, the latest figures have triggered widespread concern and calls for urgent reforms in traffic regulation, road design, and enforcement mechanisms.
