In a positive development for road safety, Maharashtra has recorded a decrease in the number of deaths on its roads and highways during the first eleven months of 2025. The state transport department released comparative statistics on Monday, showing a downward trend compared to the same period last year.
Statewide and Expressway Figures Show Improvement
According to the data, fatalities on state roads across Maharashtra fell from 14,185 between January and November 2024 to 14,066 in the same period of 2025. This represents a decrease of 119 lives lost, translating to a reduction of approximately 1%. While the statewide drop is modest, the figures for the high-speed Pune Expressway tell a more dramatic story of improvement.
On the Pune Expressway, fatalities saw a sharp decline of 26%. The number of deaths reduced from 82 in 66 crashes last year to 61 deaths in 54 crashes this year. This indicates not only fewer fatalities but also a reduction in the total number of serious accidents.
District-Wise Performance and Official Statement
A closer look at the district-level data reveals several regions that have made significant strides in improving road safety. The transport department highlighted the following percentage drops in road fatalities:
- Nagpur: 21% reduction
- Palghar: 20% reduction
- Amravati: 17% reduction
- Pune: 15% reduction
- Dhule: 14% reduction
- Sambhaji Nagar: 12% reduction
Commenting on the results, Additional Transport Commissioner Bharat Kalaskar attributed the progress to proactive measures. "We have undertaken several preventive measures including enforcement and penalties for offenders which has helped us curb the crash rate on Pune expressway and the rest of the state," he stated.
Future Goals and Public Appeal
Looking ahead, the transport department has set an ambitious target to drastically reduce road accidents. Kalaskar announced, "We plan to curb crashes by 50% by 2030." He emphasized that achieving this goal requires a collaborative effort and made a heartfelt appeal to citizens. Officials are urging all road users to strictly follow traffic rules in the interest of personal and collective safety.
The released statistics offer a cautiously optimistic view of road safety initiatives in Maharashtra. The marked improvement on the Pune Expressway serves as a model, suggesting that consistent enforcement and public awareness can yield positive results. The focus now shifts to sustaining this momentum and working towards the 2030 target of halving road crashes across the state.
