Assam Chief Minister Highlights 16% Drop in Road Fatalities During Year-End Festivities
Assam’s efforts to improve road safety over the festive season have yielded positive results, with a 16% reduction in road accident fatalities compared to the previous year. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced this achievement on 17th January 2025, sharing that between 24th December 2024 and 15th January 2025, 163 people lost their lives in road accidents, down from 195 during the same period in 2023. While this is encouraging progress, Sarma stressed that the loss of even one life is still a cause for concern, with plans in place to further reduce fatalities.
The reduction in fatalities is largely attributed to strict law enforcement, which included enhanced traffic monitoring and safety regulations during the peak of the festive season. On the last day of 2024, Assam saw only 32 accidents, resulting in 8 fatalities, which was a notable improvement compared to previous years. Sarma urged residents to adopt safe driving practices and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving the ambitious goal of zero road accident fatalities in the near future. Despite these improvements, the state continues to face challenges related to road safety. Chief Minister Sarma highlighted that a significant portion of accidents involved driving under the influence of alcohol, a problem that remains prevalent in urban centres like Guwahati. The state has responded by focusing on increasing awareness and implementing more stringent enforcement of alcohol-related offences, aiming to curb drunk driving.
In addition, Sarma has called for a holistic approach to road safety, particularly focusing on infrastructure improvements. During a recent meeting with district commissioners, police superintendents, and officials from the transport department, the CM discussed key measures to address the root causes of road accidents. The government is investing in better lighting for foot over-bridges and flyovers, a crucial step to ensure visibility and prevent accidents at night. Moreover, the installation of speed breakers, especially near schools, hospitals, and police stations, has been prioritised to reduce the risk of accidents in these high-footfall areas. Sarma has also ordered that two speed breakers be installed within every kilometre of rural roads, with the design to be decided in consultation with local communities. While the government’s actions are starting to yield results, residents continue to express concern over the conditions of many rural roads. Poor infrastructure, combined with heavy traffic and inadequate safety measures, contributes to the risk of accidents in less urbanised areas. Many rural communities are calling for more urgent repairs to these roads, as well as the implementation of additional safety features such as reflective road signs and better markings to guide drivers.
At a national level, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently emphasised that faulty road construction should be classified as a non-bailable offence. His comments came amid a broader conversation on improving road safety across India, which has the highest number of road accidents in the world. According to Gadkari, road contractors and engineers must be held accountable for accidents caused by substandard construction, and penalties for such negligence should be severe. Despite these national challenges, Assam’s efforts in the past month show promise. The combination of stricter enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, and public awareness campaigns has begun to make a tangible difference in road safety. However, more work remains to be done, particularly in tackling the root causes of accidents and addressing infrastructure deficiencies, especially in rural areas. As the government continues its push for zero fatalities, the people of Assam hope that these measures will result in safer roads and fewer lives lost in the years to come.
