Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today said that the government has undertaken extensive measures to improve road safety by identifying and rectifying accident-prone black spots across the country. Interacting with actor Aamir Khan at the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2026 in New Delhi, the Minister said over 40 thousand crore rupees have been spent on improving road design and safety, adding that out of around 350 identified black spots, nearly 280 have already been rectified.

Mr Gadkari said the country’s automobile industry has witnessed significant growth in recent years and has emerged as the third-largest globally. He said the government is working with a vision to take India to the top position in the sector over the next five years, supported by policy reforms and infrastructure development. 

 

Highlighting measures to curb road accidents, the Minister said the government has mandated six airbags in vehicles, introduced key road safety legislation, digitalised the licensing system and established over 200 driving training centres. He added that efforts are also being made to promote employment and Original Equipment Manufacturers’ facilities in aspirational districts will be established to generate opportunities for youth.

 

Emphasising citizen participation, Mr Gadkari urged people to follow traffic rules and adopt basic safety measures such as wearing helmets, using seatbelts and following the traffic signals. He said provisions like protection for Good Samaritans, financial assistance of up to one lakh fifty thousand rupees for treatment of accident victims for seven days, and a 25 thousand rupees reward under the Rahveer scheme are aimed at encouraging timely help and reducing fatalities on roads.