Centre unaware that at atleast one accident takes  place every day on NH16, says Nitin Gadkari

During the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, provided a written reply to a question raised by Eluru MP P. Mahesh Kumar regarding the measures taken by the Central government to prevent road accidents on the National Highway-16 stretch between Gannavaram and Nallajerla in Andhra Pradesh.

The Union Minister clarified that the Centre was previously unaware of the fact that, on average, at least one road accident occurs daily on this stretch. He stated that an annual report titled “Road Accidents in India” is prepared based on information collected from all States and Union Territories.

According to a report by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a total of 1,614 accidents and 254 deaths occurred on the Gannavaram–Nallajerla route over the last five years, the Minister revealed.

He further stated that the highway stretch is being maintained by contractors and concessionaires in accordance with contractual agreements to ensure smooth traffic flow. In areas where land settlements have emerged, immediate corrective measures are being taken, he added.

To prevent accidents, awareness campaigns involving signboards, speed breakers, and safety measures are being undertaken. The Union Minister also informed that the government continues to monitor road safety in coordination with district police and administrative authorities, prioritising the safety of travellers and implementing effective measures consistently.