Date: 18/12/2025
Address: New Delhi
1.8 lakh people die in 5 lakh road accidents every year. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkar told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that 5 lakh road accidents occur in India every year. Responding to a question from Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, Gadkari admitted that despite improving road infrastructure and tightening laws, the government has not been completely successful in reducing the number of deaths. Consequently, 1.8 lakh people have lost their lives. 66% of these deaths are among young people, approximately between the ages of 18 and 34. Gadkari stated that the central government is planning to provide advanced tabulation to states . He also advised ambulances to reach the scene of accidents within 10 minutes . Citing an IIM study, he said that if the injured receive timely treatment , 50 thousand lives could be saved . The minister also pointed out in the Rajya Sabha that 574 national highway projects approved in the last five years are running behind schedule . Their total cost is approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore . Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that by 2026 , the country will this technology will be based on satellites and artificial intelligence . Of these, 300 projects are delayed by at least one year , 253 by one to three years , and 21 by more than three years . 133 new road projects are stuck due to land acquisition and other constraints. Toll collection will be seamlessly collected from vehicles using FASTag number load identification technology . This will result in savings of ₹1,500 crore for India and an additional ₹6,000 crore for the state. While toll payments previously took 3.10 minutes, this time has now been reduced to zero.