Ludhiana, Oct. 1 — Ludhiana has emerged as the third deadliest city in India for road accidents, with 402 of 504 reported crashes in 2023 resulting in fatalities, an alarming 80% death rate, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report released on September 30. Punjab itself ranks third among states nationwide in road fatalities, behind Mizoram and Bihar.
Road safety expert Kamaljit Soi, in a press release issued after analysing the report, called for urgent government intervention. “These roads have turned into graveyards, claiming innocent lives every single day,” he said, citing infrastructure gaps and enforcement lapses that turn daily commutes into high-risk journeys.
At the state level, Punjab recorded 6,276 accidents in 2023, claiming 4,906 lives and reflecting a 78% fatality rate — meaning nearly eight out of every ten crashes ended in tragedy. Soi added, “These are not just numbers; they are fathers who never returned home, mothers whose children are now orphans, and young lives that ended before they even began.”
In response, the Punjab BJP unit has called for the declaration of a “Road Safety Emergency” with a comprehensive crash-reduction mission. The plan includes immediate enforcement measures such as speed cameras, mandatory alcohol testing, and strict penalties for violations. It also proposes urgent correction of high-risk road spots through redesign, improved signage, and better lighting.
Additional recommendations include a “Golden Hour Guarantee” to ensure victims receive trauma care within 60 minutes, accountability measures for transport and police officers, and extensive community engagement with schools, colleges, and transport unions to foster a culture of road discipline.
The report and subsequent recommendations underscore the urgent need for both infrastructural improvements and stricter enforcement to curb the growing toll of preventable road deaths in Punjab.
