New Delhi – Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has spotlighted the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technology in combating road safety challenges, urging innovation and collaboration with startups to address one of India’s most pressing issues. Speaking at the 12th Traffic InfraTech Expo, Gadkari outlined the alarming road safety statistics in India, which sees nearly 500,000 accidents each year, leading to a tragic number of fatalities, particularly affecting young people aged 18-36. This yearly toll costs India approximately 3% of its GDP, underlining the urgency of addressing this crisis with high-impact solutions.
At the heart of Gadkari’s strategy is the modernization of road engineering and enforcement practices through cutting-edge technology. He emphasized that integrating advanced global technologies and enforcing stronger road safety regulations are key to creating safer roads. Gadkari expressed keen interest in collaborating with Indian startups and engineers, urging them to bring innovative, scalable solutions to the table. This approach, he noted, cannot succeed without the contributions of India’s emerging tech minds.
Gadkari elaborated on the Ministry’s plans to harness AI and other digital tools to enhance traffic law enforcement. Through technology-driven solutions, authorities aim to monitor violations accurately and enforce penalties in real time. Additionally, Gadkari announced that the Ministry is exploring satellite-based toll collection methods, which could bring greater transparency and efficiency to toll management nationwide.
A significant highlight of Gadkari’s address was the government’s commitment to inviting private sector experts and forming a dedicated committee to review proposals from startups. This committee, instructed to evaluate within a strict three-month timeline, will ensure the rapid rollout of selected technologies, marking a swift and substantial leap toward safer roads.
Stressing the importance of quality standards, Gadkari assured that surveillance tools like traffic cameras will meet rigorous standards regardless of the provider’s size. This directive encourages small tech firms to participate in government tenders, aiming for cost-effective solutions that balance fair profit with public interest.
The Minister’s address concluded with a rallying call for government bodies, the private sector, and startups to join hands in building a safer, more integrated transport infrastructure. Confident that cutting-edge technology can drive down costs, boost transparency, and transform road safety, Gadkari expressed pride in India’s tech innovators who are raising the country’s safety standards to international levels.
With road safety as a top priority, the government’s new drive to integrate AI and modern technologies marks a major step forward in addressing India’s road safety challenges, building a foundation for safer, smarter transportation networks across the nation.
