Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, has stressed the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures, urging the construction industry to adopt advanced technologies and eco-friendly materials to improve infrastructure.
Speaking at the ‘Global Road Infratech Summit and Expo (GRIS)’ in the national capital, Gadkari noted, “With road safety a top priority, the government aims to reduce accident rates by 50 percent by 2030.”
Additionally, he stated that poor engineering in road design, construction flaws, and inadequate signage are major contributors to accidents.
Drawing inspiration from countries like Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, Gadkari suggested that India could learn from their best practices to rectify these issues.
India reports approximately 4,80,000 road accidents annually, leading to 1,80,000 fatalities and around 4,00,000 serious injuries.
A significant portion of these deaths – 1,40,000 – occur among individuals aged 18-45, primarily affecting two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
Highlighting the financial burden caused by road mishaps, Gadkari asserted, “These accidents contribute to an economic loss of 3 percent to GDP.”
Blaming subpar road planning and design, he pointed to the role of engineers and inadequate detailed project reports (DPRs) in the rising accident toll.
Gadkari reiterated, “With road safety a top priority, the government aims to reduce accident rates by 50 percent by 2030.”
The minister called for collaboration between the government and industry to develop effective accident prevention strategies.
He also underlined the importance of public awareness, improved law enforcement, and a well-equipped emergency response system to ensure road safety.
The summit however serves as a platform to showcase innovations, promote industry-government dialogue, and explore cutting-edge solutions to improve road infrastructure.
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