As per the Road Crashes Report of Chandigarh Traffic Police, up to December 30, 2025, the city recorded 80 fatal accident cases, resulting in 83 deaths during the year. (File Photo)
The three-hour window between 12 noon and 3 pm has emerged as the most dangerous period on Chandigarh roads, claiming 15 lives in 2025 — the highest for any time slot, according to the data compiled by the Chandigarh Traffic Police.
As per the Road Crashes Report of Chandigarh Traffic Police, up to December 30, 2025, the city recorded 80 fatal accident cases, resulting in 83 deaths during the year.
The analysis shows that nearly one out of every five fatalities occurred during these afternoon hours, when traffic volume remains high due to office movement and commercial activity.
The second-highest number of fatalities was recorded between 3 pm and 6 pm, during which 12 fatal accident cases and 12 deaths were reported. An equal number of fatal crashes and deaths –12– were also recorded between 6 pm and 9 pm and again between 9 pm and midnight, with 12 cases and 12 deaths in each time slot.
As per the data, morning hours also witnessed a considerable number of crashes. Between 9 am and 12 noon, 11 fatal accidents were reported, claiming 11 lives, while eight fatal cases and eight deaths occurred between 6 am and 9 am.
Late-night hours showed fewer crashes but higher severity. Between midnight and 3 am, only seven fatal accidents were recorded, but these resulted in 10 deaths, indicating multiple fatalities in some cases. The lowest number of fatal accidents was reported between 3 am and 6 am, with three cases and three deaths.
35–45 tears age group worst affected
The data on age profile shows that people aged 35 to 45 were the worst affected, accounting for 21 deaths, the highest among all age groups. This was followed by the 18 to 25 years age bracket, which recorded 19 fatalities.
Story continues below this ad
People aged 45 to 60 accounted for 17 deaths, while those in the 25 to 35 years group recorded 11 fatalities. Senior citizens above 60 years were also significantly impacted, with 12 deaths reported.
Alarmingly, minors were not spared either, with three deaths recorded among victims below 18 years of age.
Men, two-wheeler riders most vulnerable
Out of the total 83 fatalities, 70 victims were male, while 13 were female, indicating that men remain more exposed to road risks.
Category-wise analysis shows that two-wheeler riders formed the largest group of victims, with 37 deaths. Pedestrians were the second most affected, accounting for 34 fatalities, highlighting the vulnerability of people walking on city roads.
Cyclists accounted for nine deaths, while one fatality each was reported among car occupants and auto-rickshaw users. One death was also reported in the e-rickshaw/rehripuller category. No fatalities were recorded among bus passengers or truck occupants.
Story continues below this ad
City’s south-east zone tops fatality chart
The zone-wise data reveals that the South-East zone recorded the highest number of fatalities with 26 deaths, followed by the South-West zone with 23 deaths. The East zone accounted for 18 deaths, while the Central zone recorded 16 fatalities.
Non-fatal accidents and non-FIR cases
Apart from fatal crashes, the city also reported 154 non-fatal injury cases, involving 110 male and 44 female victims. A total of 109 non-fatal accident cases were registered during the year.
Additionally, nine fatal non-FIR cases were recorded, all involving male victims, indicating instances where deaths occurred but formal FIRs were not lodged.
Chandigarh SSP (Traffic and Security) Sumer Pratap Singh said that during the coming Road Safety Week, the Chandigarh Traffic Police will hold a high-level meeting with key stakeholders from the Tricity to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to curb road accidents and ease traffic congestion. The stakeholders will include officials from the Engineering Department, Municipal Corporation, Urban Planning Department, police officers, and representatives of non-government organisations working on traffic and road safety issues across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. He said the deliberations will focus on identifying practical solutions to reduce accident fatalities and improve traffic management in the city.
Story continues below this ad
The SSP added that, alongside policy-level discussions, special enforcement drives against overspeeding, drunk driving, helmet violations and to ensure pedestrian safety will be intensified. He said that public awareness campaigns will also be conducted throughout Road Safety Week to sensitise citizens about safe driving practices.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
