India reports approximately 5 lakh road accidents and 1.8 lakh deaths each year, with deficient signage identified as a primary contributing factor. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed that a prepared world-standard signage policy was never implemented by the National Highways Authority of India. In response to recurring maintenance issues flagged on social media, the ministry has taken strict punitive measures against defaulting contractors. Gadkari also called for joint planning among rail, metro, and road authorities alongside major reforms to counter corrupt urban land practices.
Key points
Deficient highway signage remains a major factor driving the high volume of traffic fatal…: Deficient highway signage remains a major factor driving the high volume of traffic fatalities nationwide.
Highway authorities face ongoing challenges regarding roadside encroachments and corrupt…: Highway authorities face ongoing challenges regarding roadside encroachments and corrupt urban planning practices that undervalue prime land.
Integrated planning among road, metro, and rail agencies is essential to optimize public…: Integrated planning among road, metro, and rail agencies is essential to optimize public resources and scarce urban spaces.
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Addressing an event organised by the economic think tank NCAER and Jana Urban Space Janaagraha, Gadkari said Indian highways and expressways do not have proper signage, which is also responsible for road accidents.
"Every road should have proper and clear signage. I had prepared a world-standard signage policy, but it was not implemented by NHAI.
"...still Indian highways and expressways do not have perfect signage, which is also responsible for road accidents," the road transport and highways minister said.
He said India records nearly 5 lakh road accidents annually, resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths.
Gadkari said he is monitoring social media posts on the poor condition of stretches of highways, and his ministry has also taken strict action against contractors who were responsible for construction and maintenance of these highway stretches.
He lamented that there are encroachments on the NHAI roads.
The minister also emphasised the need of increasing revenue of corporations, and coming up with long-term planning for implementing public-private partnerships for the development of public infrastructure.
"Urban planning has become nothing more than a money-making exercise...due to corruption,…
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