Road accidents killed more people than COVID-19 last year: Gadkari
The government is serious about reducing road accidents as more people died from such mishaps last year than from COVID-19 infection, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. During the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said that the government is very much concerned about road accidents and will have to take all steps to reduce road accidents.
People between 18-35 years make up for majority of victims
"Our government is serious about reducing road accidents. 1.5 lakh people died due to road accidents in the last one year which is more than 1.46 lakh deaths due to COVID-19," the minister said. The minister further noted that most of those who died due to road accidents were people in the age group of 18-35.
India accounts for highest number of road accidents: World Bank
According to a recent World Bank report, India accounts for the highest number of road accidents globally, with 1.5 lakh people being killed and more than 4.5 lakh crippled annually in 4.5 lakh road accidents with losses amounting to 3.14 percent of the GDP.
415 lose life daily in road accidents: Gadkari
Earlier, speaking at a webinar by road safety body International Road Federation (IRF) in February this year, Gadkari had termed road accidents to be much serious than the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the media reports, Gadkari said that the Indian roads are in a sordid state of affairs, with 415 people dying per day in road accidents.
Gadkari targets 50 percent reduction in road accidents by 2025
In the webinar, Gadkari had also said that more than 40,000 kms of the highway has been brought under audit check. Gadkari also sought collaboration from the IRF and other bodies to reduce road accidents by 50 percent by 2025.
Rs. 14,000 crore will be allotted for road improvement
Speaking at the webinar, Gadkari had also said that the government has proposed a State Support Programme to incentivize the states with Rs. 14,000 crore funds. Out of this, Rs. 7,000 crore would be from the Asian Development Bank and World Bank jointly and Rs. 7,000 crore would be approved by the Central Government to improve the roads in India.
