The Delhi Government has announced an ambitious citywide road safety strategy aimed at slashing road accidents by half by 2030. The initiative was formalized during the first meeting of the State Road Safety Council held after nearly two years, chaired by Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh. The plan focuses on creating safer routes for children, intensifying enforcement along high-risk stretches, and accelerating infrastructure upgrades across the city’s most accident-prone zones.
One of the key pillars of the plan is the rollout of Safe School Zones across 100 government and private institutions in the first phase. These zones will incorporate redesigned pedestrian crossings, prominent signage, speed-calming measures, and trained volunteers to assist during rush hours. Officials say the move comes in response to a disturbing rise in fatalities involving young pedestrians and cyclists, particularly around school areas where traffic is both dense and unpredictable.
To address accident-heavy corridors, the government has approved the creation of Zero Tolerance Zones along major routes such as the Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, and NDMC-controlled areas. These zones will feature clearly marked bus lanes, stringent lane-discipline enforcement, and continuous monitoring by the Delhi Traffic Police. The city currently operates 47 AI-enabled cameras, and the Council plans to collaborate with IIT Delhi to identify additional high-risk points requiring automated surveillance upgrades.
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A review of 18 well-known accident black spots formed another major part of the discussion. Locations such as Delhi Gate and ISBT Kashmere Gate have already shown positive results following improvements to road geometry and traffic signal coordination. Departments including PWD and Traffic Police have been directed to expedite corrective work and submit monthly progress reports to ensure continuous monitoring and timely intervention at all remaining sites.
The Council also assessed the performance of key victim support initiatives such as the Cashless Treatment Scheme, Hit and Run Compensation, and the Rah-Veer Good Samaritan Scheme. Departments have been instructed to intensify public awareness efforts to ensure that citizens know how to access life-saving emergency support promptly. Greater outreach is expected to increase the effectiveness of these schemes and reduce the severity of post-crash outcomes.
Looking ahead, the government has proposed hosting a Delhi Road Safety Summit in 2026, bringing together global experts, planners, enforcement agencies, and citizen groups to explore innovative solutions. Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh emphasized that the newly announced measures highlight the government’s commitment to “saving lives through coordinated, technology-driven, and citizen-centric action.” The urgency is evident—between January and May alone, Delhi recorded 2,235 road accidents, leading to 577 deaths and over 2,100 injuries, underscoring the critical need for rapid reform.
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