Spike in Road Fatalities in Uttarakhand Sparks Calls for Comprehensive Road Safety Campaign Will transport authorities take call?
Dehradun: A worrying 4.9% increase in road fatalities in Uttarakhand has raised alarms among citizens, activists, and tourists alike.
According to data, road accidents in the state surged from 1,520 in 2023 (till November) to 1,594 in the same period in 2024. Correspondingly, deaths rose from 946 to 983, reflecting an urgent need for interventions to curb this grim trend.
Civic activist and founder of the Social Development for Communities Foundation, Anoop Nautiyal, expressed grave concern.
“The rising numbers are a wake-up call for everyone in Uttarakhand. We need a dedicated and robust ‘Safe Uttarakhand Road Safety Campaign’ to address this issue head-on.
A holistic approach involving better infrastructure, strict enforcement of traffic rules, and public awareness campaigns is imperative,” he said.
Nautiyal emphasized the role of the state government in spearheading such initiatives, urging Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to assign this critical task to a capable and dedicated team member.
“Road safety isn’t just about reducing accidents; it’s about saving lives. We request the Chief Minister to appoint someone who can commit at least 80% of their time to studying successful models across India and implementing them here,” he added.
The rise in injuries accompanying these accidents further underscores the need for immediate action.
Experts and activists argue that existing measures are insufficient to address the scale of the problem, pointing out gaps in infrastructure and enforcement.
As 2025 begins, the hope is for a significant decline in road accidents through concerted efforts by the government and society.
Nautiyal concluded, “If we prioritize road safety now, we can ensure a safer and brighter future for Uttarakhand’s residents, tourists, and pilgrims.”
