GS Paper 2: Governance – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors
GS Paper 3: Infrastructure – Roads, Transportation, and Safety Measures
Essay Paper: Urbanisation, mobility and public health
Key Highlights:
- India recorded 68 lakh road accident deaths in 2022, translating to 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh people—among the highest globally.
- The economic cost of road crashes is estimated at 3% of India’s GDP.
- The foundation of road safety lies in the constitutional right to life (Article 21), ensuring safe access to public spaces.
- Urban mobility must be redesigned for inclusivity and pedestrian safety, especially as India’s urban population may reach 50% by 2047.
- India needs a long-term road safety plan anchored in Vision Zero, which accepts human error but seeks zero deaths.
Detailed Insights:
- Road Safety Challenges:
Despite a large road network, India lags in safety due to:
- Poor infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Weak enforcement of traffic laws.
- Inadequate driver training and vehicle fitness checks.
- Compared to Japan (2.57) and UK (2.61) fatalities per lakh population, India’s figure (12.2) is extremely high.
- Constitutional Mandate:
- Article 21 of the Constitution ensures the right to move freely without risk of injury.
- Road safety is thus not a privilege but a legal and moral duty of the state.
- Engineering and Enforcement Focus:
MoRTH launched steps like:
- Rectifying 5,000 black spots
- Mandatory safety audits
- Airbags, ABS, cameras, CCTV, and speed enforcement
- Nationwide driving training centers and vehicle fitness centers
Emphasis on four Es of road safety: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Care
- Investment Outlook:
- World Bank report (2020) estimates $109 billion needed over the next decade to halve fatalities.
- High returns expected through reduced deaths, saved medical costs, and increased productivity.
Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:
Vision Zero: A global road safety strategy that aims for zero fatalities by focusing on system design and human error tolerance.
iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme): Global benchmark for road safety intervention returns.
Significance:
- Effective road safety policies are essential for urbanisation, economic productivity, and human dignity.
- A future-ready mobility system must prioritize the vulnerable: pedestrians, cyclists, elderly, and public transport users.
- Public-private partnerships can play a critical role, including CSR-led mandates for safer vehicles.
- Reimagining road design and behavior is key to achieving Viksit Bharat 2047