New Delhi: As many as 743 people have lost their lives in accidents caused by potholes across north India between 2020 and 2024, with Punjab emerging as the worst-affected state, recording 414 deaths during the period.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said that out of 1,556 pothole-related accidents reported in the region, nearly 48% proved fatal, highlighting the deadly impact of poor road conditions.
The data covers accidents reported in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. After Punjab, Haryana recorded 255 deaths, Delhi 50, Himachal Pradesh 19, Ladakh three and Uttarakhand two. Chandigarh reported only one fatal pothole-related accident in 2022.
In addition to the fatalities, 438 people were seriously injured in such accidents in the region.
National picture
At the national level, 23,056 accidents linked to potholes were reported in the last five years, resulting in 9,438 deaths. Uttar Pradesh topped the list with over 10,000 accidents and 5,127 fatalities.
In another reply, the minister informed the House that total road accident deaths across the country stood at 1,72,890 in 2023 and 1,77,177 in 2024.
Government measures
Gadkari said the Centre is working in coordination with states, Union territories and other stakeholders to improve road user safety. The government has adopted a multi-pronged road safety strategy based on the 4Es — education, engineering, enforcement and emergency care.
He added that maintenance of existing national highways has been prioritised, with a system in place to ensure timely repairs through accountable maintenance agencies. According to official data, ₹7,071 crore was spent in 2025 on the maintenance and repair of pothole-prone stretches.
