Road accidents claim 180,000 lives annually in India

KATHMANDU: India witnessed approximately 180,000 fatalities due to road accidents in 2024, according to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.

The alarming statistics were disclosed on Wednesday, shedding light on the country’s persistent road safety challenges.

Gadkari revealed that 66% of the deceased were aged between 18 and 34, emphasizing the devastating impact on young lives. He also noted that around 10,000 of those who died were school students.

The minister attributed many of these fatalities to inadequate traffic management near schools and other educational institutions.

In a bid to save lives, Gadkari announced the launch of a new scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims. “We have introduced a new plan to ensure cashless treatment for those injured in road accidents,” he stated.

Under the scheme, victims admitted to hospitals within 24 hours of the accident will be entitled to up to ₹150,000 (approximately $1,747 USD) for treatment over a period of seven days.

Additionally, families of those who lose their lives in road accidents will receive ₹200,000 (approximately $2,300 USD) as compensation.

The initiative aims to mitigate the financial burden on families and provide timely medical care to reduce fatalities.