Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday emphasized that faulty road construction should be treated as a non-bailable offence, holding road contractors and engineers accountable for accidents.
He suggested they face strict penalties, including imprisonment, for negligence leading to loss of lives, Press Trust of India reported.
Speaking at an event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Gadkari highlighted that India leads globally in road accidents, recording five lakh mishaps in 2023, resulting in 1.72 lakh deaths.
Of these, 66.4 percent, or 1.14 lakh fatalities, were individuals aged between 18-45 years, with an additional 10,000 children losing their lives.
The absence of helmets caused 55,000 deaths, while non-use of seat belts accounted for 30,000. Gadkari called for a comprehensive approach to road safety, including rectifying black spots on highways, for which the ministry has allocated ₹40,000 crore.
The minister proposed mandatory fatigue-detection devices in trucks and urged reforms to reduce drivers’ excessive working hours, noting that Indian drivers often drive for 15-18 hours compared to the global standard of 8 hours.
He also called for a cultural shift by engaging students from classes 5 to 11 as road safety ambassadors. Additionally, the ministry has introduced Bharat NCAP Ratings to ensure vehicles meet safety standards.
Gadkari encouraged incentivizing safe drivers through programs like Nagpur’s pilot project, where responsible drivers are rewarded with goodies, discounts, and coupons. Penalizing violations, he stated, is only one part of the solution.
Road Transport and Highways Secretary V. Umashankar echoed the call for a mass movement on road safety, stressing the importance of addressing each accident point and black spot through localized solutions.
The ministry aims to reduce road fatalities by 50 percent by 2030, appealing to stakeholders to establish driver training and fitness centers to address a shortage of skilled drivers.