India reports 9,438 pothole deaths In five years

Deaths caused by pothole-related road accidents have risen by 53 per cent over the past five years, with 9,438 people killed across the country between 2020 and 2024, the government informed Parliament. Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for more than 54 per cent of these fatalities, emerging as the worst-affected state.The data shared by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in a written reply showed that while fatalities dipped slightly in 2021, they have climbed steadily since, reaching a peak of 2,385 deaths in 2024. 
While the annual death toll saw a marginal dip from 1,555 in 2020 to 1,481 in 2021, it has surged every year since. Fatalities rose to 1,856 in 2022, 2,161 in 2023, and peaked at 2,385 in 2024.Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for 5,127 deaths during the five-year period — more than 54 per cent of the national total. In 2024, the state reported 1,369 pothole-related fatalities, up from 1,320 in 2023 and 1,030 in 2022, underscoring a worsening trend. Madhya Pradesh recorded 969 deaths over the same period, including 277 in 2024. Tamil Nadu reported 612 fatalities, while Punjab logged 414 deaths.
The data, compiled from police reports submitted by states and Union Territories, also showed sharp contrasts across the country. Some states — including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Goa — reported no pothole-related accidents or deaths during the five-year span. Beyond the loss of life, the broader toll has been severe. A total of 23,056 pothole-related accidents were reported nationwide between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 19,956 injuries. Of these, 9,670 were classified as grievous, highlighting the devastating human cost of neglected road infrastructure.
Gadkari noted that while the Centre is responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways, state governments oversee roads within their respective jurisdictions. He added that the upkeep of the existing National Highway network has been prioritised, with systems put in place to ensure that accountable maintenance agencies carry out timely repairs. Yet the rising numbers suggest that potholes — often dismissed as minor civic irritants — remain deadly hazards on India’s roads, exacting a mounting price in lives and livelihoods.