Road safety board set up, but debate over powers persists
The Indian government has established the National Road Safety Board to address record-high road fatalities. However, experts are debating whether the board's advisory-only mandate is sufficient to effectively regulate road safety.
Why it matters
Effective road safety regulation is critical in India, which faces one of the highest road accident fatality rates in the world.
With road fatalities reaching a record 1,77,175 in 2024, according to the latest Road Accidents in India report of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Centre has finally constituted the National Road Safety Board.
The move to set up the statutory body, tasked with advising the Centre and States on road safety, has been welcomed as a significant institutional step. However, experts are divided over whether its advisory role is enough to address road safety issues or if it dilutes earlier proposals for a stronger regulatory body.
Constituted on June 29 under Section 215B of the Motor Vehicles Act, the board comprises experts and officials from the Union and State governments.
The idea of a dedicated national road safety regulator dates back to the Sundar Committee’s 2007 report, which proposed a board with powers to prescribe standards, monitor compliance, conduct safety audits, and coordinate action across agencies.
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