Surge in Bihar road accidents raise safety concerns

11 Jul 2024 CW Team

For example, a speeding car collided with an autorickshaw in Begusarai, killing five people on the spot and seriously injuring three. The two men in the car abandoned their vehicle and fled. This incident is reminiscent of a tragic road accident in Patna in March 2019, where a teenager, driving his father's car, hit and dragged a 16-year-old boy for nearly 8km, resulting in the boy's severe mutilation. In just the first nine days of July, at least 20 people have died in various road accidents across Bihar. On July 1, a speeding tractor in Rohtas split a car in two, killing three people. On July 5, a speeding car in Patna district killed a man and his two children after hitting three bikes. On July 4, a truck collision in Kishanganj district resulted in the death of a one-year-old toddler and his parents. In 2023, nearly 10,000 road accidents occurred in Bihar, with around 8,900 fatalities. The traffic department's analysis shows an increasing trend in road accidents, including fatal ones. Bihar ranks number 14 in road accidents on national highways, but number 7 in fatal accidents. Alarmingly, it is second in terms of deaths per 100 accidents on national highways and in accidents per 10,000 vehicles, despite having only 5% of the total NH length.

ADG (traffic) Sudhanshu Kumar attributed the main causes of such accidents to over-speeding, wrong-side driving, and overloading of vehicles. He cited an incident in Lakhisarai where 14 people died after their overloaded auto was hit by a speeding truck. He emphasized the need for behavioural changes to curb such accidents.

To address these issues, the state has introduced highway patrolling vehicles, flagged off by CM Nitish Kumar on June 21. Currently, 23 vehicles are in operation, with 38 more expected by mid-August, covering around 3,000km. However, Sudhanshu stressed that addressing black spots, over 200 of which exist in the state (95% on national highways), is crucial for reducing accidents.

Social worker Shahzade pointed out that while new roads have been constructed, the absence of foot overbridges, particularly in rural areas, has led to many becoming victims of speeding trucks. He advocated for permanent solutions such as railway and foot overbridges at necessary locations, stating that mere signage is insufficient to solve the problem. (Source: ET)

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

Recent data from the traffic department, analysed from 2020-2023, indicates a rise in road accidents, including fatal ones, in Bihar. This concern is highlighted by a chilling accident in Mumbai where a 45-year-old was hit and dragged for nearly 1.5km. Similarly harrowing incidents have become a common occurrence in Bihar. For example, a speeding car collided with an autorickshaw in Begusarai, killing five people on the spot and seriously injuring three. The two men in the car abandoned their vehicle and fled. This incident is reminiscent of a tragic road accident in Patna in March 2019, where a teenager, driving his father's car, hit and dragged a 16-year-old boy for nearly 8km, resulting in the boy's severe mutilation. In just the first nine days of July, at least 20 people have died in various road accidents across Bihar. On July 1, a speeding tractor in Rohtas split a car in two, killing three people. On July 5, a speeding car in Patna district killed a man and his two children after hitting three bikes. On July 4, a truck collision in Kishanganj district resulted in the death of a one-year-old toddler and his parents. In 2023, nearly 10,000 road accidents occurred in Bihar, with around 8,900 fatalities. The traffic department's analysis shows an increasing trend in road accidents, including fatal ones. Bihar ranks number 14 in road accidents on national highways, but number 7 in fatal accidents. Alarmingly, it is second in terms of deaths per 100 accidents on national highways and in accidents per 10,000 vehicles, despite having only 5% of the total NH length. ADG (traffic) Sudhanshu Kumar attributed the main causes of such accidents to over-speeding, wrong-side driving, and overloading of vehicles. He cited an incident in Lakhisarai where 14 people died after their overloaded auto was hit by a speeding truck. He emphasized the need for behavioural changes to curb such accidents. To address these issues, the state has introduced highway patrolling vehicles, flagged off by CM Nitish Kumar on June 21. Currently, 23 vehicles are in operation, with 38 more expected by mid-August, covering around 3,000km. However, Sudhanshu stressed that addressing black spots, over 200 of which exist in the state (95% on national highways), is crucial for reducing accidents. Social worker Shahzade pointed out that while new roads have been constructed, the absence of foot overbridges, particularly in rural areas, has led to many becoming victims of speeding trucks. He advocated for permanent solutions such as railway and foot overbridges at necessary locations, stating that mere signage is insufficient to solve the problem. (Source: ET)

Resources

26 Jun 2026

G R Infraprojects Founder Vinod Agarwal Passes Away

Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Founder and Promoter of G R Infraprojects, has passed away. He had been associated with the company since its inception in 1995. His vision, determination and entrepreneurial acumen laid the foundation for the company and helped shape its growth into a leading name in India’s infrastructure sector.Agarwal served as Managing Director from 2008 to 2021 and later as Chairman and Whole-time Director from 2021 to 2025. He stepped down from the office of Director on 10 November 2025. During his leadership tenure, the company moved through significant phases of growth, operatio..

Infrastructure Energy

25 Jun 2026

Centre Prioritising Energy Security With Coal Gasification

Union minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said the Centre is prioritising energy security through a strategic shift to coal gasification and has announced incentives totalling Rs 460 billion (bn) to support the effort. He said more than 35 companies will start coal gasification activities in India within two months and that the government is encouraging firms that bring technology to close the domestic technology gap. The minister described the initiative as aimed at reducing import dependence and developing indigenous capacity. India has the fifth-largest coal reserve in the world, and..

Infrastructure Urban

25 Jun 2026

BHEL and Coal India Invest Rs 250 bn in Odisha Gasification

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Coal India (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 250 billion in a coal gasification project in Odisha, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone in Jharsuguda. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a transformative shift in coal utilisation that will open industrial avenues for the state. The project moves coal beyond conventional power generation to industrial feedstocks. Coal gasification will convert coal into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for chemicals, fertilisers and synthetic fuels, and the technology is ex..