Pothole Peril: Rising Road Fatalities Demand Urgent Attention

Pothole-related road deaths have surged by 53% over five years, with 9,438 fatalities from 2020 to 2024. Uttar Pradesh, severely affected, accounts for 54% of deaths. The data, presented by Minister Nitin Gadkari, highlights the need for improved road infrastructure and maintenance to address this escalating crisis.

In a concerning revelation, deaths caused by pothole-related road accidents have surged by 53% over the last five years, according to figures presented to Parliament. A total of 9,438 people lost their lives between 2020 and 2024, as disclosed by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Uttar Pradesh stands out as the most affected state, accounting for over half of these fatalities. The annual toll reached its peak in 2024 with 2,385 deaths, highlighting a disturbing upward trend in recent years. Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab also reported significant casualties.

Despite the grim statistics, some regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Goa reported no such incidents. The disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted road maintenance and improved infrastructure to curtail these preventable tragedies.