CM Yogi Adityanath urges phased action, strict enforcement, and technical support from IIT Kharagpur to make UP roads safer. UP reports highest road crashes in India—new collaboration aims at systemic solutions with measurable outcomes.
Lucknow, 6th September 2025 — In a landmark move to curb road fatalities, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur to implement the globally recognized Safe System Approach—an evidence-based framework proven to reduce traffic injuries and deaths. The MoU was signed during the Uttar Pradesh Transport event at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow, in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, Transport Minister Shri Dayashankar Singh, Transport Commissioner Shri B.N. Singh, among others.
The urgency of this collaboration is highlighted by the MoRTH 2023 report, which recorded 23,652 deaths and over 44,500 accidents in Uttar Pradesh, the highest in the country. Fatalities in the state rose by 4.7% compared to 2022, with over speeding alone accounting for nearly 70% of deaths.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Road crashes have taken more lives than even the COVID-19 pandemic, and this is one of the greatest challenges before us. To overcome it, we need both short-term and long-term action plans implemented in a phased manner. Road safety requires not just infrastructure upgrades but also behavioural change and strict enforcement of laws. We must address the leading risk factors—over speeding, drunken driving, non-use of helmets and seatbelts—while ensuring regular driver testing, medical fitness checks, and use of modern technology. This collaboration with IIT Kharagpur will strengthen the technical implementation of our road safety measures, ensuring that policy and science work hand-in-hand to make Uttar Pradesh a model for India.”
“Road safety is a top priority for our government. This collaboration with IIT Kharagpur reflects our seriousness and determination to address the challenge with urgency. Through evidence-led strategies, speed management, and stronger enforcement, we will save lives and build safer roads for every citizen,” said Shri Dayashankar Singh, Transport Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Building on the State Road Safety Action Plan (SRSAP) and the newly adopted Speed Management Guidelines, the initiative combines IIT Kharagpur’s technical expertise with Uttar Pradesh’s policy leadership. The Road Safety Network (RSN) and Consumer VOICE, a leading NGO in road safety advocacy, are also playing a vital role in supporting public awareness, accountability, and evidence-based interventions.
A Technical Advisory Group comprising experts from academia, government, and civil society will steer interventions, monitor progress, and ensure evidence-based policymaking. Priority areas include speed management on high-risk corridors, technology-driven crash data management, safer road designs, and widespread public education.
“Our vision is to synchronize policy and science—ensuring every intervention is data-driven and monitored for measurable impact. Speed management is the critical front line,” stated Dr. Bhargab Maitra, Professor, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur and Member, Road Safety Network.
“This MoU is a crucial step in Uttar Pradesh’s journey to make its roads safer. By bringing together the government, IIT Kharagpur, and civil society, we can ensure technical solutions are applied where they matter most — tackling priority risk factors like speeding, non-use of helmets and seatbelts, drunken driving, and distracted driving. This collaboration gives us the framework to turn data-driven insights into real, life-saving action on the ground.” said Ashim Sanyal, CEO, Consumer VOICE and Member, Road Safety Network.
The first phase of the partnership will include a statewide situational analysis, district-level engagement, and public consultations to shape the implementation of SRSAP. Regular monitoring and transparent reporting will keep the initiative accountable and aligned with its long-term vision of reducing road traffic deaths.
About the Uttar Pradesh Road Safety Mission
The Uttar Pradesh Road Safety Mission is state’s flagship program to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries through systemic, scalable, and sustainable interventions.
About IIT Kharagpur
IIT Kharagpur is a premier Indian institution known for pioneering research, technology development, and policy advocacy in road safety and transportation engineering.
About Consumer VOICE
Consumer VOICE is a leading consumer advocacy organization, committed to promoting road safety and public welfare in India. Consumer VOICE works to protect consumer rights. Through evidence-based campaigns and collaborations, it empowers citizens to demand accountability and contribute to making Indian roads safer.
