Road traffic injuries are a silent epidemic in India, claiming over 1.5 lakh lives annually (MoRTH, 2023). Every single day, nearly 460 lives are lost on Indian roads. In Gujarat, road crashes claimed 7,854 lives in 2023, translating to over 21 deaths daily in the state. These grim statistics underscore that road safety is not merely a transport concern; it is a public health crisis demanding urgent, sustained action.

In response, Gujarat has unveiled an ambitious and structured roadmap, Vision 2030, aiming to cut road accident fatalities by 50%.

The Vision 2030 Commitment: A 10-Point Roadmap

In a recent high-level meeting chaired by Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Minister of State – Home, Industries, Transport, Youth & Sports, Gujarat’s leadership reiterated its commitment to prioritise road safety as a critical public health and infrastructure challenge.

The Minister emphasised coordinated action across departments, stricter enforcement, and citizen participation to achieve the Vision 2030 goals.

1. Reduce Fatalities by 50% Aligning with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, Gujarat aims to halve road fatalities by 2030 through multi-sectoral interventions.

2. Cashless Treatment Scheme Under this scheme, accident victims receive free medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh at any hospital within 48 hours of the incident, ensuring critical golden-hour care without financial burden.

3. Rahveer Yojana To encourage good Samaritans, citizens who assist accident victims by transporting them to hospitals are rewarded with ₹25,000. This incentivises community involvement in saving lives during emergencies.

4. Traffic Awareness for Students Recognising that behavioural change begins young, road safety education booklets for Classes 1–4 have been launched. Programs are being scaled to higher classes and institutions across Gujarat.

5. Black Spot Rectification The state identified 56 new accident-prone black spots, with directives to implement corrective measures before Diwali 2025. This intervention aims to address high-risk zones proactively.

6. Traffic Awareness Parks Municipal bodies in urban areas will establish dedicated Traffic Awareness Parks. These interactive spaces will engage citizens, especially school children, with real-world traffic scenarios and safety protocols.

7. Road Safety Directory A centralised directory of contact numbers for all road safety departments will be made publicly available to ensure citizen access and transparency.

8. Strict Enforcement Measures The state pledges stern action against irresponsible drivers and negligent enforcement officials. Compliance with helmet and seatbelt laws, speed limits, and drink-driving rules will be intensified.

9. Tech-Driven Traffic Management E-enforcement, AI-based surveillance, and automated traffic signal systems will be scaled up across Gujarat to modernise traffic management and penalise violations in real-time.

10. Road Maintenance Focus The Public Works Department has been directed to prioritise pre-monsoon and post-monsoon road repairs, reducing hazards from potholes and damaged roads, a key contributor to accidents.

Gujarat’s Holistic Approach: Beyond Enforcement

Gujarat’s strategy stands out by blending infrastructure, enforcement, community participation, and education. By recognising citizens as first responders through the Rahveer Yojana and mainstreaming road safety education in schools, the state promotes a people-centric approach to road safety.

National and Global Context of Road Safety in Gujarat

India signed onto the UN’s Stockholm Declaration on Road Safety, committing to halve fatalities by 2030. Gujarat’s Vision 2030 mirrors this commitment locally while aligning with India’s broader National Road Safety Plan.

Recognising Excellence in Road Safety in Gujarat

To sustain motivation, the Gujarat State Road Safety Awards recognise top-performing districts and organisations contributing to safer roads. This fosters healthy competition and knowledge-sharing between districts.

UNICEF India Gujarat office was honoured with the “Gujarat Road Safety Award” by the Transport Minister during the meeting. This recognition acknowledges UNICEF’s continuous efforts over the past one and a half years in enhancing road safety and injury prevention for children and adolescents in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat and partner organisations.

During the same council meeting, an infotainment booklet developed by the UNICEF India Gujarat office to promote activity-based learning for children in road safety was launched.

Towards Safer Roads for All

With over 400 road fatalities per day in India, Gujarat’s Vision 2030 is a timely and necessary blueprint. By combining policy, technology, infrastructure, and community ownership, the state aims to create roads that prioritise life over speed. But success will depend on rigorous implementation, transparent monitoring, and sustained public engagement.

Urban Voices calls on civil society, local bodies, and road users across Gujarat to collaborate and ensure that Vision 2030 transforms from policy to life-saving reality. Share your perspective at urbanvoicesin@gmail.com to join the dialogue on road safety.