UP: After pilot tests on 3 highways, police to roll out action plan to check accidents

The directorate studied the three most accident-prone stretches in the state:

• Stretch–1: NH-34 (Sikandrabad–Bulandshahr to Gabhana Toll Plaza, Aligarh)
• Stretch–2: NH-27 (Awadh Crossing, Lucknow to Jajmau Bridge, Unnao)
• Stretch–3: NH-34 (Naubasta to Sajeti, Kanpur)

The results presented at the meeting showed marked reductions.

• On the Lucknow–Unnao stretch (NH-27) accidents fell by 64.29% in August and by 90.48% in September after measures were put in place.
• The Sikandrabad–Aligarh stretch (NH-34) recorded a 33.33% drop in August and an 81.48% fall in September.
• The Kanpur stretch reported a 38.46% reduction in August and stability in September.

On the basis of the success of these pilot initiatives and the findings of the Traffic Directorate’s study,the DGP issued a Statewide Action Plan focused on two goals: freeing cities of traffic congestion and minimising fatalities from road accidents. The plan aligns with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Zero Fatality District (ZFD) programme and uses data from the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) for 2023–24 to prioritise interventions.

Fifteen districts and five police commissionerates have been identified as Accident Death Reduction Districts under the plan; these include Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Agra, Prayagraj, Bulandshahr, Unnao, Hardoi, Aligarh, Mathura, Bareilly, Fatehpur, Sitapur, Gorakhpur and Barabanki, while Kushinagar, Jaunpur, Badaun, Firozabad and Azamgarh are also on the list.

Across these 20 districts, officials have flagged 233 critical police stations, 89 critical corridors and 3,233 critical crash locations for focused work.

To strengthen local response, each critical police station will receive additional equipment such as alcometers and speed guns, and Critical Corridor Teams will be formed to lead enforcement and accident investigations.

Teams will receive training, and senior traffic officers have been asked to coordinate with road engineering and related departments to fix infrastructure shortcomings. All activities will be reviewed and guided by a detailed Standard Operating Procedure.