Srinagar, Dec 11 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has reported 831 road accident fatalities in 2024, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) informed the Lok Sabha.
The ministry according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) also said that the UT of Ladakh also witnessed 61 deaths in 2024.
As per official figures, J&K recorded 926 road accident deaths in 2017 followed by 984 in 2018, 996 in 2019, 728 in 2020, 774 in 2021, 805 in 2022, 893 in 2023 and 831 in 2024.
The UT of Ladakh registered 56 deaths in 2021, 62 in 2022, 59 in 2023 and 61 fatalities in 2024.
The ministry noted that the prime causes of road accidents across the country include over-speeding, mobile phone use, drunken driving, wrong-side driving, lane indiscipline, non-use of helmets and seat belts and factors such as vehicle condition, weather, and road infrastructure.
To support victims, the Government has implemented the Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022, offering Rs 2 lakh compensation in case of death and Rs 50,000 for grievous injuries.
Under the Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, victims are entitled to cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for seven days from the date of the accident.
The Ministry added that road safety audits are now mandatory in all National Highway projects, while funds continue to be allocated for awareness campaigns, driver training centres, inspection facilities, and transport strengthening initiatives in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh—(KNO)