Indore's Road Safety Crisis: 114 Lives Lost in 3 Years at 16 Black Spots
A recent comprehensive road safety review conducted by the Indore Traffic Police has unveiled a deeply concerning trend in the city's accident-prone zones, commonly referred to as black spots. Over the last three years, from 2023 to 2025, a staggering 114 people have lost their lives in 113 accidents reported at 16 identified high-risk locations. This alarming data was released during a recent safety meeting, highlighting a steady and worrying rise in both accidents and fatalities at these dangerous spots.
Year-by-Year Breakdown of Accidents and Fatalities
The statistics paint a grim picture of escalating road safety issues in Indore. In 2023, there were 32 accidents resulting in 32 deaths at these black spots. This number increased significantly in 2024, with 39 accidents and 37 fatalities reported. The trend continued its upward trajectory in 2025, where 42 accidents led to 45 deaths, indicating a persistent and growing threat to public safety on the city's roads.
Deadliest Black Spots in Indore
Among the 16 black spots, several locations have been identified as particularly hazardous. Luvkush Chauraha stands out as one of the deadliest, recording 12 deaths from 13 accidents over the three-year period. Dewas Naka Chauraha and Kailod Kartal Phata Bypass each reported 10 and 9 deaths respectively, underscoring their high-risk nature. Additionally, Ralamandal Square on Bypass Road witnessed 11 deaths in 10 accidents, further emphasizing the critical need for targeted interventions at these junctions.
Updates to the Black Spot List: Removals and Additions
As part of a regular audit process, authorities have made adjustments to the official list of black spots. ACP Rajesh Singh stated that five locations were successfully removed following effective engineering interventions and improved traffic management strategies. These include:
- Rizlay Phata at Dhar Road (Gandhinagar)
- Opposite Best Price on Bypass Road (Lasudia)
- Opposite Decathanol on Bypass Road (Lasudia)
- IT Park Chauraha (Bhanwarkua)
- Near Prabhutol Kante, Nemawar Road (Bhanwarkua)
Measures such as road widening, lane channelisation, and the installation of rumble strips contributed to their removal from the danger zone list. However, in a concerning development, five new high-risk zones were added to the current list of 16 black spots in the last week of January this year, due to increased accident frequency. These new additions are:
- Near MR 10 Toll (Banganga) – 5 accidents, 4 deaths
- Over Kanadia Bridge on Bypass Road – 6 accidents, 6 deaths
- Opposite Uno Business Park on Bypass Road – 5 accidents, 6 deaths
- Opposite Phoenix Mall on Bypass Road – 6 accidents, 7 deaths
- Navdapanth Bridge on Dhar Road – 5 accidents, 5 deaths
Mitigation Measures and Future Plans
To address the risks at existing black spots, senior officials have outlined a combination of short-term and long-term measures. Key initiatives include constructing flyovers at congested junctions like Luvkush Chauraha to ease traffic flow and reduce accidents. Authorities are also increasing the height of median dividers to prevent illegal pedestrian crossings, which often lead to collisions. Installation of streetlights in dark zones is another priority to enhance visibility and safety during nighttime hours.
Furthermore, the traffic police have issued instructions to remove illegal encroachments on service roads, which can obstruct traffic and contribute to accidents. In an effort to curb drunk driving incidents, roadside liquor shops are being relocated away from high-traffic areas. These comprehensive strategies aim to not only mitigate immediate dangers but also foster a safer road environment in Indore over the long term.
