'Deaths In Road Accidents Increased': Nitin Gadkari Admits Failure In Lok Sabha, Calls For Behavioral Change

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, expressed deep regret over the escalating number of road accidents in India, acknowledging his failure to achieve the ambitious goal of reducing fatalities by 50 per cent during his tenure.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on road safety, Gadkari made a candid admission, saying, “Forget about reducing the number of accidents, I have no hesitation to admit that it has increased.”

Gadkari emphasised the critical need for societal change and greater respect for the rule of law to tackle the complex issue of road safety. “For things to improve, human behaviour in India has to change, society has to change, and the rule of law has to be respected,” he stressed.

Drawing from personal experience, Gadkari recalled a severe accident involving his family, which left him requiring extensive medical care. “By the grace of God, I and my family were saved. So, I have personal experience with accidents,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh leads in road accident deaths, accounting for 13.7 per cent of the national toll, followed by Tamil Nadu (10.6 per cent), Maharashtra (9 per cent), and Madhya Pradesh. Cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Jaipur also report high fatality numbers.

Gadkari attributed a significant number of accidents to improper truck parking and poor lane discipline among commercial drivers. He highlighted efforts to enforce international standards in bus body construction, including installing safety features like hammers near windows for emergency escapes.

Despite implementing various measures, Gadkari admitted the enormity of the task ahead, acknowledging the need for urgent and sustained efforts.

“When attending international conferences on road safety, I often feel the need to hide my face due to the increasing death toll on Indian roads,” he remarked, emphasising the critical need to address the crisis.