Bollywood Stars Join Nitin Gadkari for Road Safety Telethon

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is set to host a star-studded telethon on January 25 in Mumbai as part of the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan (SSA) 2026, a nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at reducing road fatalities across India.

The event, scheduled to air on CNN-News18 from 11:00 am onwards, will feature Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan alongside actors Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Kay Kay Menon. Musicians Shankar Mahadevan and Swanand Kirkire will also participate in the initiative, now in its fourth consecutive year.

The campaign comes amid concerning statistics from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. India recorded 4,87,707 road crashes in 2024, claiming 1,77,175 lives—averaging nearly 485 deaths daily. Young adults aged 18 to 45 constitute over two-thirds of these fatalities.

This year's theme, 'Kartavya' (Duty), emphasises road safety as a shared civic responsibility rather than merely a regulatory issue. The campaign slogan "Parvaah Se, Kartavya Tak" reflects a shift from awareness to actionable responsibility.

SSA 2026 is structured around four pillars: Kartavya (Duty), Kayda (Discipline), Kavach (Shield), and Kranti (Change), designed to drive behavioural transformation across India's road network.

The Ministry identifies overspeeding, rash driving, dangerous overtaking, jaywalking, and non-use of helmets and seatbelts as major contributors to road fatalities. Delays in providing assistance during the critical "golden hour" after accidents also remain a significant concern.

The telethon will combine discussions with celebrity participants and special performances to engage viewers and promote safer road practices nationwide.