Nagpur’s Pedestrian Crisis: One in Three Road Deaths in 15 Months Involves Walkers

Nagpur: Pedestrians in the city are facing an alarming rise in road fatalities, with every third road death in the last 15 months involving a walker. A total of 1,257 road accidents were reported in 2024, resulting in 345 fatalities, of which 104 victims—nearly 30%—were pedestrians. Between January 1 and March 28 alone, 27 pedestrians lost their lives, highlighting the growing threat to those on foot.

Encroachments Force Pedestrians onto Busy Roads:

Nagpur Traffic Police’s ‘Footpath Freedom Campaign’, launched earlier this year to tackle illegal parking and sidewalk encroachments, initially received strong public support. However, as soon as the drive ended, encroachments returned, forcing pedestrians back onto congested roads and increasing the risk of accidents.

Speeding Cars and Motorcycles Behind Most Fatalities:

Speeding vehicles, especially at night, have become the leading cause of accidents. Of the 1,257 accidents reported in the city, reckless car driving accounted for 509 cases—the highest among all vehicle categories. Motorcycles followed with 319 accidents, while heavy trucks caused 192 casualties, primarily on the city’s outskirts.

Peak Hours of Danger: 8 AM–12 PM & 8 PM–12 AM:

The most dangerous time for road users is between 8 AM–12 PM and 8 PM–12 AM, when heavy traffic flow increases the risk of accidents. Both pedestrians and motorists are most vulnerable during these peak hours.

Lack of Traffic Personnel, Non-Functional CCTV Cameras Add to Chaos:

A visible police presence is critical for ensuring road safety, yet many key junctions remain unmonitored. While CCTV cameras are installed at various points, several are non-functional, further exacerbating the traffic situation and making it difficult to monitor violations.

Authorities Promise Action to Curb Pedestrian Fatalities:

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Archit Chandak assured that the police, in coordination with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), will intensify crackdowns on footpath encroachments. “We are committed to ensuring safe walking spaces. However, most pedestrian fatalities occur on the city’s outskirts. We will take all necessary measures to reduce such incidents,” he stated.

With increasing pedestrian deaths and persistent traffic violations, experts stress the need for stricter enforcement and improved road infrastructure to ensure the safety of walkers in Nagpur.