Maharashtra Road Safety Council Meets After 3 Years As State Records 1.17 Lakh Accidents And 50,488 Deaths

After an unprecedented 1,267-day hiatus, the Maharashtra Road Safety Council convened for the first time in over three years at Mantralaya on Tuesday, led by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. The council, established in May 2015, is mandated to convene meetings at least twice annually under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Since its last meeting in April 2023, the state has witnessed a staggering surge in road accidents, with over 1.17 lakh incidents and 50,488 fatalities reported until June 2026.

Transport Minister Sarnaik directed officials from police, public works, and health departments to align their efforts towards curbing road accidents and fatalities. However, the delay in convening the council highlights the critical nature of the issue, with the Road Safety Council tasked with reviewing accident trends, pinpointing accident-prone areas, ensuring adherence to road safety measures, and coordinating inter-departmental action.

The state's Transport Department data reveals that since the council's last meeting, Maharashtra has recorded 1,17,070 road accidents, leading to 50,488 deaths, 73,423 serious injuries, and 27,198 minor injuries. This underscores the urgent need for effective road safety measures, especially as Maharashtra recorded 49,157 accidents and 20,890 fatalities alone from June 2023 to June 2026.

The council's role becomes even more crucial in light of the recent three-month period, which saw 9,259 accidents and 3,858 fatalities in the state. The council's mandate is pivotal in addressing the pressing road safety challenges confronting the state.