Highest number of accidents is the big challenge for the country: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari, India's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, announced during the 27^th World Road Congress in Prague that India boasts the world's second-largest road network and ranks as the third-largest auto production centre globally. However, he expressed deep concern over the country's high accident rates, ANI noted. 

“We are the second largest road network in the world and now at the same time, we are the third largest automobile manufacturing hub in the world. These are the two strengths. But at the same time, we are facing highest number of accidents and that is to be a big challenge for the country,” Gadkari said.

Gadkari highlighted the government's efforts to address these challenges, including measures related to automotive and road engineering, emergency response, education, and law enforcement. Despite these actions, he acknowledged that achieving significant success has proven elusive.

Emphasising the importance of changing people's mindsets, Gadkari noted that accidents cost India 3 percent of its GDP. To promote awareness and educate the public, the government has integrated road safety into the primary education system and collaborated with educational institutions, universities, and social organisations, ANI stated. 

“We have already introduced the road safety agenda into the preliminary education system, trying to change the mindset of the small student people children. And at the same time, it is important that we are taking help from educational institutions, universities, social organisation to create awareness in the mind of the people,” he added.

Gadkari outlined the government's mission to reduce road accidents by 50 percent by 2030, acknowledging the formidable challenge it represents. He shared their collaboration with prominent individuals, filmmakers, and celebrities to drive this initiative, ANI noted. 

It's worth noting that Gadkari received a traditional "Maharashtrian welcome" upon arriving at the Prague airport and that he had previously announced the government's goal to construct approximately 13,800 kilometres of National Highways in 2023–2024. He also affirmed that the construction materials used for roads have improved in terms of strength and quality compared to earlier practices, ANI stated.