The Nagpur city has secured the top position in Maharashtra for reducing fatal road accident deaths in 2025, driven by the focused enforcement campaign “Operation U-Turn” launched by the Nagpur City Police in July this year.
As per official data available till December 21, 2025, the city has recorded a 26% decline in deaths caused by fatal road accidents, resulting in 90 lives being saved. This performance has placed Nagpur at the forefront of the state’s road safety rankings.
The initiative aligns with the directives of the Supreme Court’s Committee on Road Safety, which mandates a minimum annual reduction of 10% in road accident fatalities and promotes the long-term goal of zero road accident deaths. Emphasising that road safety is a fundamental right, the committee has stressed on infrastructure upgrades, rectification of accident-prone black spots, strict enforcement of helmet and seatbelt norms, action against illegal lights and hooters, and the use of technology. Nagpur City Police have translated these objectives into on-ground action.
According to statistics released by the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Maharashtra, Nagpur ranked first in reducing road accident deaths in 2025 compared to 2024, followed by Paithan with a 20% reduction and Amravati city with 17%. In terms of absolute numbers till November 30, 2025, Nagpur reported a reduction of 80 fatalities, ahead of Pune city (55) and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (18).
Key measures under ‘Operation U-Turn’
Drunken driving enforcement:
More than 3,000 motorists are checked daily across the city. So far in 2025, 5,366 drunk-driving cases have been registered, achieving a 100% conviction rate. Repeat offenders have been sentenced to 15 days in jail, while an average of 90 mobile checkpoints operate every day.
Action against rash and negligent driving:
Special teams target overspeeding, wrong-side driving, triple-seat riding and reckless behaviour. On average, over 60 motorists are booked daily under BNS Section 281, with 880 cases registered so far. Vehicles of offenders are being seized and drivers detained.
Zero tolerance for underage driving:
Parents allowing minors to drive are being booked under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. In 2025, action has been taken against 60 minors and their parents, with a 100% conviction rate. The minors involved have been declared ineligible for driving licences.
Black spot management:
Accident-prone locations have been notified and strengthened with additional manpower, zig-zag barricades, warning signage, rumble strips and blinkers.
Parking discipline:
In coordination with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, parking and no-parking zones have been clearly marked, supported by special police deployment to ease congestion and improve safety.
Illegal food trucks and modified vehicles:
Over 25 illegally stationed or modified food trucks and vehicles have been seized under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Private bus parking restrictions:
Parking of private buses has been prohibited on the Inner Ring Road. Action has been initiated against 300 buses, proposals have been moved to cancel licences of 20 buses, and two bus operators are proposed for blacklisting.
Heavy vehicle regulation:
Heavy vehicles are barred from entering areas within the Outer Ring Road between 6 am and 10 pm. Strict monitoring has led to action against 20,900 heavy vehicles so far.
Official response and way forward
“Road safety is about safeguarding human lives, not just enforcing laws. Through ‘Operation U-Turn’, Nagpur is steadily moving towards the Supreme Court’s vision of zero road accident deaths. This success reflects the discipline of citizens and the dedication of the police force,” Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal, Nagpur Police Commissioner said.
The police have announced intensified enforcement in the coming days, including a special drunk-driving drive from December 22 to 31, deployment of 131 checkpoints daily, strict action against helmet violations, tougher measures against wrong-side driving and triple-seat riding, and the development of safer pedestrian crossings.
With sustained enforcement and public cooperation, the Nagpur City Police remain committed to achieving the goal of zero fatal road accidents.
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