Parliament Question: State of roads and highways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1373 ANSWERED ON – 11/02/2026 STATE OF ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 1373. SMT. PRIYANKA CHATURVEDI: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) claim that "Indian roads better than US in two years" has materialised a year later; (b) whether total road accident fatalities in 2025 increased from 2024's 1.73 lakh deaths, indicating deterioration; (c) whether pothole-related deaths are documented, given crater-filled highways, collapsing bridges and substandard construction despite inflated spending claims; and (d) the progress on highway construction km, safety audits, blackspot elimination? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) As per the latest available report, India has a road network of about 63.60 lakh km as of 31st March 2020, which is the second largest in the world after the United States with 66.46 lakh km of roads. The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). Since April 2023, about 1,300 km of National High Speed Corridors (HSCs) have been operationalized increasing the same to 3,419 km at present and about 11,800 km of four lane plus NHs have been constructed increasing the total 4 lane plus NHs to about 48,600 km. Further, Government has approved National High Speed Access controlled Corridors in a length of about 2,000 km and four lane plus NHs in a length of about 6,500 km since April 2023. The Government endeavours to provide best in class experience on National Highways and aims to improve logistics efficiency through quality infrastructure through development of Expressways & access controlled Highways.(b) Details of the number of accidents and fatalities reported on NHs during each of the last three years are as under: - 2023 2024 2025 Accidents Fatalities Accidents Fatalities Accidents Fatalities 150,177 63,112 150,958 64,772 1,34,307 57,482 Figures for calendar year 2024 onwards based on latest eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) data. The analysis of road accident data reveals that road accidents are multi-causal and are the result of interplay of various factors which can broadly be categorized into human error, road condition / environment and vehicular condition. (c) and (d) Accident report of the country invariably accounts for all causes including the pothole related deaths. Government has focused on development of NHs in accordance with the traffic volume and also ensuring that no section of NHs should be left without any contractual maintenance agency. Government has constructed 38,329 km of NHs during the last three years and current year. At present, 34,000 km length is under development, 59,000 km length under Defect Liability Period (DLP) / Concession Period, and 47,000 km length under various maintenance contracts. Road Safety Audit (RSA) of all NHs is a continuous process and has been made mandatory at all stages i.e. design, construction, pre-opening stage of NH projects as well as during operation and maintenance stage on existing NHs for ensuring road safety. Based on findings of such audits, necessary remedial measures, including provision of crash barriers, signage boards, Foot Over Bridges, etc., are taken in a time-bound manner. Rectification of black spots is a continuous process and temporary measures are taken on immediate basis. Out of total 13,795 blackspots identified on National Highways (NHs) in the country, short-term rectification has been completed on 12,289 black spots. Long-term rectification measures, as recommended by road safety audit reports, are implemented only at locations deemed necessary. Accordingly, long-term measures have been completed at 5,773 black spots, while 3,705 black spots have been assessed as not requiring any long-term intervention. Long term rectification works includes improvement of road geometrics, junction improvements, spot widening of carriageway, construction of underpasses/overpasses, etc. whichinvolve pre-construction activities such as land acquisition, forest clearance & utility shifting which takes significant time. Electronic Detailed Accident Report System has been launched through which accident spots on NHs are noticed immediately. Accordingly, such spots are visited immediately by field officers and appropriate short term measures are taken. *****