Centre Uninformed on Daily Accidents Along NH16, Reveals Nitin Gadkari

Quick Summary

• During the monsoon session of Parliament, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari replied to a question on road safety measures for National Highway-16 between Gannavaram and Nallajerla in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Center was previously unaware that this stretch experiences at least one road accident daily, based on an annual report titled “Road Accidents in India.”
• Over the past five years, 1,614 accidents and 254 deaths have been reported along this highway segment.
• The highway is maintained by contractors and concessionaires as per contractual agreements; corrective measures are taken when settlements emerge along the route.
• Safety initiatives such as awareness campaigns with signboards, speed breakers, and other preventive steps are being implemented.
• road safety monitoring is conducted in coordination with district police and administrative authorities.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Road safety remains a pressing concern across India’s extensive highway network. The statistics shared-1,614 accidents over five years resulting in 254 deaths-highlight an urgent need for consistent infrastructure improvements alongside effective enforcement of existing laws. While local management by contractors and awareness measures are commendable steps toward ensuring smoother traffic flow on NH-16 between Gannavaram and Nallajerla, the high frequency of accidents indicates potential gaps in execution or adequacy of these efforts.Coordination with district police might improve immediate responsiveness to incidents but systemic solutions like advanced surveillance systems or broader policy changes might potentially be necessary to sustainably reduce fatalities. Ensuring public accountability through detailed reporting appears crucial moving forward.

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