New Delhi, Dec 5: Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari raised serious concerns over the growing number of road accident fatalities during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, he revealed that 1.68 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents across India in the past year, with 60% of the victims being young individuals. Gadkari described the situation as deeply troubling, urging societal cooperation to enhance road safety.
Accentuating personal experience, Gadkari recalled, “When I was the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra, I was severely injured in a road accident. I understand the gravity of such incidents.” He stressed the need for collective efforts, including from parliamentarians, to address this crisis effectively.
Responding to Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal, Gadkari admitted flaws in the construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, specifically in the Sohna, Dausa, and Lalsot section. He confirmed that action was underway to blacklist the negligent contractor responsible for the subpar work.
The Union Minister also presented alarming statistics from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for 2022.
India recorded 4,61,312 road accidents that year, resulting in 1,68,491 deaths and 4.45 lakh injuries. These figures represented a 12% rise in accidents and a 9.4% increase in fatalities compared to 2021.
Gadkari pointed out that speeding accounted for 75% of the accidents, making it the deadliest factor on Indian roads.
Driving on the wrong side, drunk driving, and mobile phone use while driving were also identified as significant contributors.
The minister reiterated his commitment to improving road safety measures and addressing these critical issues.
