New Delhi — In a bold move to enhance road safety across the nation, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways announced a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to eliminate hazardous “black spots” on National Highways. These high-risk locations, notorious for frequent accidents involving fatalities and grievous injuries, are being systematically addressed through a series of comprehensive short-term and long-term measures.
According to information provided by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, a total of 13,795 black spots have been identified along National Highways. Immediate remedial actions have already been taken at 9,525 locations, where measures such as improved road markings, upgraded signages, installation of crash barriers, road studs, delineators, closure of unauthorized median openings, and traffic calming initiatives have been implemented.
In parallel, the government has embarked on permanent rectification measures at 4,777 black spots. These long-term strategies involve critical infrastructure enhancements including the improvement of road geometrics, junction upgrades, spot widening of carriageways, and the construction of underpasses or overpasses—efforts aimed at mitigating accident risks and improving overall traffic flow.
All interventions are carried out in strict adherence to the standards, guidelines, manuals, and codes of practice prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress, ensuring that both the design and execution phases maintain the highest quality benchmarks. Additionally, regular safety audits at the design, construction, and pre-opening stages of projects—as well as on existing highway stretches—underscore the government’s commitment to road safety.
To further reinforce quality, the ministry has instituted rigorous control measures such as 100% verification of quality control tests by Authority Engineers in EPC contracts, periodic sample checks, and strict enforcement of contract provisions, with penalties imposed on contractors and consultants for any lapses or defective work.
Minister Gadkari’s statement in the Lok Sabha underlined the government’s proactive approach to not only respond to current road safety challenges but also to build a robust framework that prevents future incidents. “Our continuous efforts to rectify these black spots are a testament to our commitment to safeguarding the lives of millions of road users,” he remarked.
As these initiatives take root, the ongoing transformation of the national highway network stands as a powerful example of how coordinated government action can lead to a dramatic reduction in road accidents, making travel safer for all.
