RoadSafety – Over 50,000 Killed in Bihar Accidents Since 2019
RoadSafety – More than 50,000 people have died in road accidents across Bihar over the past seven years, according to figures presented by the state government in the Legislative Council.
State Road Construction Minister Dilip Jaiswal informed the House that 50,941 lives were lost in road crashes between 2019 and 2026. Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau, he also said nearly 44,000 people sustained injuries during the same period. The information was shared in response to a starred question raised by Member of the Legislative Council Maheshwar Singh.
Young Adults Most Affected by Fatal Accidents
The minister noted that a significant proportion of those killed were young adults. Nearly half of the victims fell within the 18 to 35 age group, highlighting the disproportionate impact of road accidents on people in their most productive years.
The figures point to a sustained pattern of fatalities rather than isolated incidents. With thousands of injuries reported alongside the deaths, the data underscores the scale of the road safety challenge confronting the state.
Concern Raised Over District-Level Fatalities
During the discussion, Singh drew attention to the situation in East Champaran district, where 393 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2025 alone. He asked the government to outline the steps being taken to curb the rising number of fatalities, not only in that district but across Bihar.
Responding to the concern, Jaiswal acknowledged that road accidents have increased and are occurring on nearly all categories of roads, including highways and urban stretches. He said the government has identified 1,044 accident-prone locations, commonly referred to as black spots, where crashes are reported frequently.
Measures Planned to Improve Road Safety
According to the minister, corrective action is underway at these high-risk points. Engineering improvements and safety interventions are being introduced to reduce the likelihood of accidents. He said the state is also preparing to launch a special awareness campaign aimed at encouraging safer driving practices and better compliance with traffic rules.
In addition to awareness efforts, authorities are installing more signboards and road safety instructions at critical junctions. The number of zebra crossings will be increased in areas where pedestrian movement is high, he added. These steps, he said, are intended to address both vehicular and pedestrian safety concerns.
Questions Over Use of Pedestrian Infrastructure
Members of the Indian National Congress also raised questions about infrastructure usage. Referring to the foot overbridge constructed on Atal Path in Patna, they asked whether such projects were effectively serving their purpose.
Jaiswal responded that while the overbridge has been completed, CCTV footage indicates that only five to ten people use it regularly. He stated that the road has been equipped with proper signage, safety instructions, service lanes, and pedestrian facilities, but the limited usage suggests a gap in public awareness and compliance.
The minister emphasized that infrastructure alone cannot prevent accidents if road users do not follow safety norms. He said the government remains committed to addressing the rise in accident-related deaths and will continue to take preventive measures to improve overall road safety conditions in the state.
As the discussion concluded, the government reiterated that reducing fatalities and injuries from road accidents is a priority. With thousands of families affected over the past seven years, lawmakers across parties stressed the need for coordinated efforts combining infrastructure upgrades, enforcement, and public awareness to bring down the toll on Bihar’s roads.