Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Parliament that there has been a 53 percent increase in road accidents caused by potholes over the last five years. According to agency data, between 2020 and 2024, a total of 9,438 fatalities occurred across the country due to such accidents. Notably, more than 54 percent of these deaths were recorded in Uttar Pradesh, marking it as the most affected state. While there was a slight decline in fatalities in 2021, the numbers have continued to rise steeply since then, reaching alarming levels in 2024 with 2,385 deaths recorded.

The data shared by Gadkari highlighted fluctuations in yearly fatalities, showing a decrease from 1,555 deaths in 2020 to 1,481 in 2021, followed by a steady increase in subsequent years. In 2022, the death toll rose to 1,856, which further escalated to 2,161 in 2023, culminating in the peak number of 2,385 deaths in 2024. This trend indicates a troubling pattern regarding road safety in India, particularly within Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the urgent need for better infrastructure and road maintenance.

Moreover, the alarming statistics underline a growing public concern regarding road safety standards and regulations within the state and the country at large. The discourse surrounding the need for systemic reforms to address pothole-related accidents is critical in mitigating these numbers, ensuring safer travel for citizens and possibly saving lives in the process.