There is an immediate need for improved road safety measures to put in place, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has said, urging the road construction industry to develop strategies to enhance road safety by adopting newer technologies and sustainable recyclable construction materials.
“With road safety a top priority, the government aims to reduce accident rates by 50 per cent by 2030,” the minister emphasised.
Speaking at the two-day ‘Global Road Infratech Summit and Expo (GRIS); in the national capital, the minister observed that most of the road accidents that happen in the country are due to poor civil engineering practices in road design, construction, and management and improper road signages and marking systems.
Gadkari suggested that they can be rectified by emulating from what is being practiced in countries like Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
India witnessed 4,80,000 road accidents, 1,80,000 deaths, and about 4,00,000 serious injuries.
Out of these 1,40,000 accident deaths are in the age of 18-45 years and affecting mostly two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
“These accidents contribute to an economic loss of 3 per cent to GDP,” Gadkari noted.
Holding engineers largely responsible for the rise in road accidents due to poor planning and design of roads, the Union Minister also pointed to substandard detailed project reports (DPRs).
“With road safety a top priority, the government aims to reduce accident rates by 50 per cent by 2030,” he added.
Gadkari urged the industry and government to collaborate in finding solutions to prevent road accidents, emphasising the importance of education in building safer infrastructure and promoting awareness on safer driving habits.
He also highlighted the need for stronger law enforcement and responsive emergency medical services.
The summit is being organised to inspire innovation, showcase cutting-edge solutions from industry providers, foster knowledge exchange, and open valuable networking opportunities for experts and decision-makers from government bodies and private organisations.
PM Modi congratulates CBSE students, says 'one exam can never define you'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated lakhs of students across India who appeared for the Class 10 and 12 Board examinations, as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the results.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviews security with top officials, chiefs of forces
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the new normal in the country’s tough anti-terror policy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation with top officials and chiefs of forces.
CBSE Class 10 results declared; girls outperformed boys once again
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the Class 10 Board exam results for 2025 on Tuesday. This year, an impressive 93.66 per cent of students passed the examination. Over 23 lakh students appeared for the exam, which was held at 7,837 centres across 26,675 affiliated schools.
Chinese missile maker's stock tanks over 6 pc after India destroys its air weapon
The shares of Zhuzhou Hongda Electronics Corp Ltd, the Chinese defence company that manufactures the PL-15 missile, dropped sharply by 6.42 per cent or 2.56 Yuan to 37.33 Yuan on Tuesday, after India's air defence system successfully intercepted and destroyed the missile during the conflict with Pakistan.
Three terrorists killed in J&K gunfight
Three terrorists were killed on Tuesday in a gunfight with the joint forces in Keller area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. V. K. Birdi, IGP (Kashmir), told reporters that three terrorists have been killed.
CBSE announces Class 12 result; pass percentage 88.39 per cent
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday declared the results for the Class 12 examinations, in which girls once again outperformed boys.
India is eternally grateful to armed forces: PM Modi visits Adampur Airbase after 'Operation Sindoor'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning visited the Adampur Airbase in Punjab to meet Indian Air Force personnel and express the nation's gratitude for their courage and fearlessness in defending the country.
Devotees throngs Venuban Vihar; meditates and offer prayer to Lord Buddha
Along with the rest of the world, Buddha Purnima was observed here at Agartala with a traditional fervour to mark not only the day when Gautam Buddha was born, but also the day when he attained Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.