Karla Phata, NH 48 – Report by SaveLIFE Foundation launched at Manthan 2022
Every year, nearly 1.35 million people die as a result of road crashes across the world. India witnesses the largest number of road crash fatalities globally. As per the latest Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1,55,622 people were killed and 3,71,884 were injured in 4,03,116 road crashes in the country in 2021. 82.5% (i.e. over 1,28,000) of all deaths occurred among the 18-60-year-old age group, which comprises the primary workforce of India. Road crashes also pose a huge economic burden, causing a 3-5% loss to the GDP every year.
A large number of road crashes in India take place at intersections on highways and city streets. Issues plaguing these sites range from faulty rotary, improper lane width to lack of speed calming measures, missing signage and others. SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF), in collaboration with experts across India has developed a model to tactically redesign dangerous intersections to drastically reduce road crash fatalities and transform blackspots into safespots.
On the second day of Manthan, a two-day conference cum public expo organised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in Bengaluru, SaveLIFE Foundation tabled its report titled “Tactical Redesign of Dangerous Intersections: A Replicable Model to Save Lives.” The report, including the case study from Karla Phata, NH 48, tactically redesigned by SLF, was launched by the Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, (Retd.) General (Dr) VK Singh, and other esteemed dignitaries.
Tactical redesigns are temporary, quick, and cost-effective interventions to save lives and have been tried and tested at dozens of intersections across the country. They can easily be made permanent by road-owning agencies. Speaking about the report launch at Manthan that brought together stakeholders from various states, Union Territories (UTs) and industry to champion ideas, share good practices and explore opportunities and issues in the roads, transport and logistics sphere, the Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, Mr Piyush Tewari, said, “We are extremely delighted and honoured to share this Report with the dignitaries present. The report also includes a step-by-step guide to the replicable concept of Tactical Redesigning. It can be picked up by any state and any road owning agency for implementation in a concerted fashion. Our sincere hope is that this report is able to help treat blackspots and make our roads safer for all types of road users.”