Pedestrian deaths on National Highways jump 43% in 5 years; Tamil Nadu worst in 2024

Over 11,000 pedestrians were killed on National Highways across India in 2024, marking a 43.5 per cent increase from 2020, according to data tabled in Parliament. The figures reveal a growing vulnerability for walkers on these major roads, even as the government says pedestrian infrastructure is being incorporated into highway projects.

The data, presented in response to a question by Congress MP Manish Tewari, shows that 11,386 pedestrians lost their lives on national highways in 2024, up from 7,930 in 2020. This means that nearly one in every 16 people killed in road accidents across the country last year was a pedestrian on a national highway.

Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of such fatalities in 2024, though the exact state-wise breakup was not provided in the immediate summary of the data.

The sharp rise comes despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that safety measures, including footpaths and safe crossing points, are being integrated into highway design. However, the numbers suggest that pedestrians remain among the most vulnerable road users, particularly on high-speed corridors where crossing facilities are often inadequate or missing.

Tewari, who represents Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha, criticised the government's response, highlighting a landmark Supreme Court judgment that recognised the right to safe footpaths as a fundamental right. "The government seems clueless about the Supreme Court's judgment recognizing the right to safe footpaths as a fundamental right," he said. "What is most striking in its reply, however, is the staggering number of pedestrian deaths across the country. These figures underline why implementing the judgment cannot be delayed any longer."

The Supreme Court, in a 2023 ruling, had directed all states and Union Territories to ensure the construction and maintenance of footpaths and safe pedestrian crossings, treating them as an essential component of the right to life under Article 21. The court also observed that pedestrians have an equal right to use public roads and that their safety cannot be compromised for vehicular traffic.

Data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ annual road accident reports have consistently shown that pedestrians account for a significant share of road accident fatalities in India. According to the latest available national figures, pedestrians constituted about 15 to 20 per cent of all road accident deaths annually, with highways being particularly dangerous due to high vehicle speeds and lack of segregation.

Experts point out that the increase in pedestrian deaths on national highways may also be linked to rapid highway expansion and bypass construction, which often cuts through villages and towns without providing safe access for local residents. In many cases, pedestrians are forced to cross multiple lanes of high-speed traffic because foot overbridges or underpasses are either absent or poorly located.

The new data adds urgency to calls for stricter enforcement of road safety norms and greater investment in pedestrian infrastructure. The World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety has repeatedly emphasised that safe walking infrastructure is critical to reducing road traffic deaths, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India.

As the country advances its highway network, officials and civil society groups say that pedestrian safety must be a core design principle rather than an afterthought. Without concrete action, the death toll is likely to rise further, they warn.

The Ministry has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest figures. However, it has previously stated that it has issued guidelines to states for providing pedestrian facilities, including footpaths and safe crossing points, on all national highways passing through habitation areas.