Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday attributed the rise in road accidents and fatalities in the country to faulty Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and flawed road designs prepared by civil engineers and consultants.
Speaking at the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS), Gadkari emphasized the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures.
“Most road accidents in the country occur due to minor civil errors, poor DPRs, and a lack of accountability,” said Gadkari, known for his candid remarks.
He urged the road construction industry to adopt advanced technologies and sustainable, recyclable materials to improve road safety.
“Even basic elements like road signage and marking systems are substandard in India. We must learn from countries like Spain, Austria, and Switzerland,” he added.
Highlighting the poor quality of DPRs, Gadkari held engineers largely responsible for the increasing number of road accidents due to inadequate planning and design.
“This makes me feel that engineers are primarily responsible for the rise in road accidents. The core issue lies in road engineering, flawed planning, and defective DPRs,” he stated.
Gadkari revealed that India recorded 1,80,000 road accident fatalities in 2023. With road safety as a top priority, the government aims to reduce accidents by 50% by 2030.
International Road Federation (IRF) President Emeritus K.K. Kapila, also speaking at the event, stressed the importance of prioritizing safety in road design, construction, and management. He highlighted that the summit aims to move towards a future where road accidents become rare, ultimately striving for zero fatalities.
