Highway deaths dip in India for 1st time since Covid

For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, road fatalities on India's national highways (NHs) have decreased in 2025, according to government data presented in the Lok Sabha. The decline in NH deaths, which decreased by 4.1% to 62,122, contrasts with a rise in overall road deaths across the country. Across various states and union territories, 20 entities experienced a drop in NH fatalities, while 15 recorded an increase.

Notably, Lakshadweep, which lacks national highways, reported zero NH fatalities since 2022. The most significant reduction in NH deaths occurred in Uttar Pradesh, where fatalities decreased from 9,560 in 2024 to 7,573 in 2025. Madhya Pradesh and Punjab also saw notable drops, from 4,644 to 3,610 and 1,562 to 1,022 respectively.

Conversely, states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat witnessed an uptick in NH fatalities.