In a groundbreaking revelation, a study released today by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, indicates that successful corridor-based road safety practices have the potential to save up to 40,000 lives each year.

Conducted by the SaveLIFE Foundation in collaboration with the World Bank Group and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the study titled "Road Safety Good Practices in India" showcases success stories from across the country.

The report highlights various interventions that have led to a measurable and often remarkable reduction in road crash fatalities along specific road corridors. Notable examples include the National Highway 48 (Old Mumbai-Pune Highway) Zero Fatality Corridor project, which witnessed a significant 61% decrease in fatalities between 2018 and 2021.

Similarly, the Belgaum Yaragatti Highway’s Safe Corridor Demonstration Project in Karnataka recorded a noteworthy 54% reduction in deaths from 2015 to 2018.

The Sabarimala Safe Zone maintained zero road crash deaths from 2019 to 2021, serving as a model for pilgrimage sites nationwide.

These successes result from a comprehensive approach that analyzes road crashes and implements measures such as enhancing road safety infrastructure, targeted enforcement, and improvements in emergency medical response.

The report, unveiled in the presence of senior officials from Central and State Governments, categorizes interventions as corridor-based, network-based, and state-based, covering nine corridor-based, two city/network-based, and two state-based interventions across ten states. It not only documents "what has worked" but also delves into "how it was done," offering insights to facilitate the adoption and replication of

successful practices.

To compile these practices, questionnaires were sent to relevant departments across all 28 States and 8 Union Territories in India, supplemented by secondary research to understand the national road safety landscape. The report analyzes responses from States and findings from secondary research to present a comprehensive overview.

 Gadkari expressed confidence that the report would serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, administrators, and stakeholders, providing practical solutions from real-world examples.

Piyush Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, emphasized the report's role as a guidebook for states to replicate practices that have shown significant improvements in road safety, facilitating cross-functional knowledge exchange and informed initiatives at the ground level.