New Delhi witnessed a watershed moment in urban safety planning on Wednesday as the Delhi government unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform the capital’s traffic landscape. With a clear target to halve road crashes by 2030, the administration has signaled its commitment to making Delhi’s streets safer for all road users through comprehensive, technology-enabled interventions.
State Road Safety Council Takes Action
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh presided over the first State Road Safety Council meeting in nearly two years, marking a renewed focus on addressing the capital’s persistent traffic safety challenges. The council approved a comprehensive action plan that encompasses multiple dimensions of road safety, including stricter enforcement protocols, critical infrastructure upgrades, enhanced child safety measures, and expanded use of advanced technology.
This multi-pronged approach reflects the government’s understanding that reducing road casualties requires coordinated efforts across enforcement, engineering, education, and emergency response systems.
Safe School Zones: Protecting Young Lives
Creating Protected Environments for Children
One of the most significant decisions announced was the establishment of safe school zones around 100 government and private schools in the initial phase. This initiative responds to the concerning trend of increasing pedestrian and cyclist casualties, particularly among vulnerable road users like children.
Key Features of Safe School Zones
These designated areas will feature comprehensive safety enhancements including improved signage for driver awareness, traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and narrowed lanes, redesigned pedestrian crossings with better visibility, and deployment of trained safety volunteers during peak school hours. The focus on protecting non-motorized transport users acknowledges the growing share of pedestrian and cyclist casualties in urban crashes.
Zero Tolerance Zones on Major Arterials
Strict Enforcement on Critical Corridors
The council approved the creation of Zero Tolerance Zones along key arterial roads, including the Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, and stretches controlled by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). These high-traffic corridors will see marked bus lanes to improve public transport efficiency, stricter lane discipline enforcement to reduce dangerous weaving and overtaking, and continuous monitoring by Delhi Traffic Police personnel.
This targeted approach aims to bring order to the capital’s busiest thoroughfares where speed, volume, and mixed traffic create high-risk conditions.
Technology-Driven Surveillance Expansion
AI-Based Camera Network Growth
Currently, Delhi operates 47 AI-based surveillance cameras for traffic monitoring and enforcement. Recognizing the effectiveness of automated systems in deterring violations and identifying dangerous behavior, the council has resolved to collaborate with IIT Delhi to identify additional high-risk locations where automated surveillance infrastructure can be expanded strategically.
This partnership with academic institutions ensures that technology deployment is data-driven and scientifically validated, maximizing the impact of public investment.
Black Spot Remediation Progress
Addressing Accident-Prone Locations
The council conducted a detailed review of 18 identified accident-prone black spots across the city and directed that remediation work be expedited. Officials reported encouraging improvements at several locations, including Delhi Gate and ISBT Kashmere Gate, where upgraded road geometry and better signal coordination have resulted in reduced crash frequency.
The Public Works Department (PWD) and Delhi Traffic Police have been instructed to submit monthly progress updates, ensuring accountability and continuous monitoring of improvement efforts at these critical locations.
Alarming Accident Statistics Demand Action
According to figures presented by Delhi Police, 2,235 road accidents were reported between January and May this year alone, resulting in 577 fatalities and 2,187 injuries. These sobering statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions and justify the government’s ambitious target of halving crashes by 2030.
The human and economic cost of road crashes extends beyond these numbers, affecting families, communities, and the broader healthcare and economic systems.
Victim Support Schemes Under Review
The meeting also reviewed major victim support initiatives, including the Cashless Treatment Scheme for accident victims, the Hit and Run compensation mechanism for families of victims, and the Rah-Veer Good Samaritan Scheme that encourages bystanders to assist crash victims without fear of legal complications.
Strengthening these support systems ensures that accident response is humane and efficient, potentially saving lives through faster medical intervention.
Delhi Road Safety Summit 2026
Building Cross-Sector Collaboration
To foster greater coordination among stakeholders, the council proposed hosting a Delhi Road Safety Summit in 2026. This platform will bring together traffic safety experts, enforcement agencies, urban planners, and citizen groups to share best practices, discuss emerging challenges, and build consensus on future strategies.
Such multi-stakeholder engagement is essential for creating a road safety culture that transcends government action alone.
Conclusion: A Coordinated Approach to Save Lives
Transport Minister Singh emphasized that these decisions demonstrate the government’s commitment to “saving lives through coordinated, technology-driven, and citizen-centric measures.” The comprehensive nature of the action plan, combining enforcement, engineering, technology, and community engagement, offers hope that Delhi can achieve its ambitious 2030 target and create a safer urban environment for all road users.
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