Nagpur: The city is witnessing a worrying rise in pedestrian fatalities, with every third road death in the last 15 months involving a walker. In 2024 alone, the city recorded 1,257 road accidents, leading to 345 deaths, of which 104 were pedestrians. The first three months of the year have already seen 27 pedestrian deaths, highlighting the increasing risks faced by those on foot.
Encroachments on sidewalks have further worsened the situation, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads. Earlier this year, the Nagpur Traffic Police launched the ‘Footpath Freedom Campaign’ to tackle illegal parking and encroachments. While the initiative received significant public support, the problem resurfaced soon after the drive ended, once again leaving pedestrians with no safe walking space.
Speeding vehicles, particularly at night, have emerged as the leading cause of accidents. Of the total road mishaps reported, reckless car driving alone accounted for 509 accidents—the highest among all vehicle categories. Motorcycles followed with 319 accidents, while heavy trucks, often involved in deadly collisions on the city’s outskirts, caused 192 casualties.
The most dangerous hours for road users fall between 8 AM–12 PM and 8 PM–12 AM, when traffic congestion peaks, increasing the risk of accidents. Pedestrians and motorists alike are most vulnerable during these hours, making road safety enforcement crucial.
Adding to the chaos is the lack of a strong police presence on roads. While CCTV cameras have been installed at various locations to monitor traffic, many remain non-functional, making it difficult to track violations and ensure pedestrian safety.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Archit Chandak has assured that action is being taken to address these issues. “We have already initiated a crackdown on footpath encroachments in coordination with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). The drive will continue to ensure safe walking spaces. However, most pedestrian fatalities occur on the city’s outskirts. We will take every measure to reduce fatalities on the streets,” he stated.
As pedestrian deaths continue to rise, experts emphasize the urgent need for stricter traffic enforcement, functional surveillance systems, and improved road infrastructure to safeguard walkers in Nagpur.
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