- By Surarika Das
- Sat, 20 Jun 2026 01:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India records at least 30,500 roadside accidents every year. Between 2019 and 2024, around 1.8 lakh people died of accidents. The latest reports released by the Ministry of Road Transport for 2024 reveal that India records one of the highest pedestrian fatalities in the world. Many of those occur due to the lack of safety precautions and inadequate infrastructure.
The 2024 report says that nearly 54 per cent of pedestrian deaths were caused by collisions with two-wheelers and cars. Recently, the Supreme Court also directed the government to enact legislation to provide for clearly demarcated sidewalks for all road users. Last year, the Supreme Court clarified that pedestrians' right to use sidewalks is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Tamil Nadu Tops The List
According to the 2024 report, Tamil Nadu has the worst number of pedestrian deaths, with the highest number of fatalities at 4,712. It is followed by Bihar (4,149), Maharashtra (3,344), and West Bengal (3,241).
The ministry's latest report says that 4,328 pedestrians died in 53 major cities with a population of more than 1 million, accounting for only 11.8 per cent of the total deaths.
'Complete Failure To Implement..'
Amar Srivastava, head of the youth-led organisation India Road Safety Campaign, said, "This data shows that there is a dire need for government road agencies to identify the exact causes of pedestrian deaths outside major urban areas and provide safe passage for these people on national and state highways and other major roads."
Meanwhile, in a separate case pending in the Supreme Court, an amicus curiae has suggested that the government should install pedestrian signage on highways. Clear signs, such as "No Pedestrian Entry," should also be installed to alert pedestrians. Abhay Damle, who previously handled road safety as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport, welcomed the Supreme Court's order.
He said, “We have good standards set by the Indian Roads Congress for pedestrian amenities and footpaths. The main problem is not the lack of standards, but our complete failure to implement them at the ground level.
Unfortunately, many of the city's roads are designed almost entirely for vehicles only, forcing pedestrians, including children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, to walk on the main road, risking their lives."