Over 29,000 Deaths in National Highway Accidents in First Half of 2025: Government Data

India’s national highways, which make up just 2% of the country’s road network, have already claimed 29,018 lives in the first six months of 2025, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This figure has already crossed 50% of last year’s fatalities, raising concerns that 2025 could surpass previous years’ tolls unless urgent safety measures take effect.

The Numbers at a Glance

• 2023 – 1,23,955 53,630
• 2024 – 1,25,873 53,090
• 2025 (Jan–Jun) – 67,933 29,018

Share of fatalities: Over 30% of India’s road accident deaths occur on national highways.

2023 total road deaths: More than 1.72 lakh across the country.

Data Source and Reporting

The accident statistics are compiled from state and Union Territory submissions to the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) portal, which serves as a central repository for reporting, managing, and analysing road accident data.

Government’s Road Safety Measures

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the ministry is pursuing short-term and long-term measures to reduce deaths on highways, including,

• Road infrastructure improvements
• Road markings and signage
• Crash barriers and raised pavement markers
• Geometric improvements and junction redesigns
• Spot widening of carriageways
• Construction of underpasses and overpasses
• Technology integration:
• Installation of Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) in new projects and important existing corridors
• Use of electronic enforcement devices to monitor traffic and detect incidents quickly
• Faster on-site assistance response times

Identifying Road Engineering as a Key Issue

• The government has acknowledged poor road engineering as a major contributor to accident deaths.
• Gadkari has repeatedly criticised consultants and contractors for substandard Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and flawed road designs.
• The ministry is now revising selection parameters for consultants to ensure higher-quality road planning and construction.

Target: Halving Road Deaths by 2030

India has set an ambitious goal to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030. Given the current rate of national highway deaths in 2025, experts warn that meeting this target will require accelerated safety upgrades, stricter enforcement, and better public awareness campaigns.