National Highway Deaths Decline by 11% in 2025, Provisional Data Shows
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that fatalities on national highways in India decreased by around 11% in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to provisional data from the electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) system, 57,482 deaths were recorded in 2025, down from 64,772 in 2024.
States with Significant Reductions in Highway Fatalities
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh reported particularly sharp declines in fatalities on national highways passing through their territories. Officials highlighted these states as examples of improved road safety outcomes.
- Uttar Pradesh: Highway deaths dropped to 6,973 in 2025 from 9,560 in 2024.
- Madhya Pradesh: Fatalities reduced to 2,882 in 2025 compared to 4,644 the previous year.
- Punjab: Recorded 858 deaths on national highways in 2025, down from 1,562 in 2024.
Provisional Nature of Data and Expected Trends
Officials cautioned that the eDAR data is provisional, with final figures expected to be available by April. This delay accounts for fatalities that occur weeks after accidents due to injuries.
"However, we expect some reduction in fatalities on national highways when completely verified data is available," said a ministry official, indicating optimism about the overall downward trend.
States Reporting Increased Fatalities
While most states showed improvements, Gujarat and Jharkhand were exceptions, reporting higher death tolls on national highways.
- Gujarat: Deaths increased from 2,192 in 2024 to 2,380 in 2025.
- Jharkhand: Fatalities rose to 1,783 in 2025 from 1,686 the previous year.
The ministry's written reply underscores ongoing efforts to enhance road safety across India's extensive national highway network, with data-driven insights from the eDAR system playing a crucial role in monitoring and addressing accident trends.
