Mumbai: The Supreme Court-monitored High-Power Committee on Road Safety has instructed the Maharashtra government to strictly enforce the compulsory use of helmets for two-wheeler riders and pillion riders, as well as seat belts for all occupants of four-wheelers. The directions were issued during a meeting between the committee and Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar on Monday.
The committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge A.M. Sapre, emphasized the urgent need for stricter enforcement in light of alarming road accident statistics. Data shows that nearly 70% of road accidents in the state involve two-wheelers and pedestrians. The panel is currently on a five-day visit to Maharashtra to review the implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders on road safety.
Following the meeting, the state government issued a circular mandating all municipal corporations to allocate 1% of their annual budget towards road safety, traffic discipline, and public awareness campaigns. For instance, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with an annual budget of ₹74,427 crore, will now need to earmark ₹744 crore for road safety initiatives.
Officials from departments including traffic police, transport, public works, school education, and rural development attended the meeting. A senior Mantralaya official said the committee directed that full compliance with the helmet rule — for both riders and pillion riders — must be achieved within six months. Similar enforcement is expected for seat belts in four-wheelers. “Since the issue is being monitored by the Supreme Court, any lapses in implementation will not be tolerated,” the official added.
The committee also expressed concern that the helmet mandate is not being implemented effectively outside Mumbai and certain parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Additionally, it called for strict action against contractors responsible for accidents resulting from poor road design, faulty construction, or inadequate maintenance.
The state government has been asked to target a 35% reduction in road accidents. Official data shows that Maharashtra recorded 14,565 fatal accidents in 2024, resulting in 15,715 deaths and over 22,000 serious injuries. Between January and September 2025, 10,720 fatal accidents have already been reported, claiming 11,532 lives.
To enhance pedestrian safety, the government has directed departments to conduct audits of footpaths, zebra crossings, and foot overbridges, prioritizing areas near schools, temples, and railway stations. Plans are also underway to install surveillance cameras, implement GIS mapping, and create an online grievance redressal platform to address complaints related to encroachments and poor road or footpath conditions.
The Supreme Court, in its order dated October 7, instructed all states to adopt concrete measures to curb accidents and fatalities. The committee led by Justice Sapre has been tasked with ensuring compliance and coordinating with state governments to improve road safety across the country.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com