Shoddy and dangerous road infrastructure has pushed Ludhiana into a grim national top ten list, with safety experts cautioning that the official death count might just be the "tip of the iceberg" in the city's traffic safety crisis.
NCRB Data Reveals a Deadly Ranking
Fresh statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) paint a troubling picture for Ludhiana. The city recorded a total of 400 road fatalities in the year 2023. Out of these, the data officially attributes five deaths directly to poor road infrastructure. This specific categorization places Ludhiana at seventh position among 53 major Indian cities for lives lost due to broken roads and absent safety features.
This ranking starkly contrasts with many other urban centers. While 43 major cities across India reported zero deaths linked to infrastructure failures, Ludhiana stands out as a regional anomaly. Neighboring cities like Amritsar and Chandigarh recorded no fatalities in this category, underscoring the particularly deteriorating state of Ludhiana's transport network. Nationally, Agra led this tragic list with 38 infrastructure-related deaths, followed by Nasik (36) and Lucknow (16).
Experts Warn of Severe Under-Reporting
However, road safety authorities believe the NCRB's figure of five deaths is a significant underestimate. Kamaljit Soi, a member of the National Road Safety Council, has indicated that the true number is likely much higher. He explained that deaths caused by inadequate road infrastructure are consistently under-reported because police departments frequently categorize accidents under broader headings like 'speeding' or 'negligent driving'.
Soi further pointed out that approximately 30% of hit-and-run cases have unknown causes, a substantial portion of which may originate from hazardous road conditions. In his assessment, "infrastructure failure" encompasses a range of dangers including deteriorated road surfaces and potholes, unmarked road shoulders, missing critical "road furniture" like reflectors, cat's eyes, and signage, and the absence of crash barriers at high-risk locations.
Local Activists Echo Daily Dangers
For Ludhiana's residents, the data only confirms a harsh daily reality. Public infrastructure activist Kapil Arora identified specific perilous zones, naming "blind spots" on the Southern Bypass and Ferozepur Road as primary danger areas. "Many roads are broken and lack the basic furniture needed to guide drivers safely," Arora stated. He emphasized that innocent lives are being lost due to the failure of responsible departments to maintain fundamental safety standards.
The combination of hard data and expert testimony reveals a systemic problem in Ludhiana. The city's placement on this national list serves as a urgent call for accountability and immediate, comprehensive action to repair its crumbling road network and prevent further preventable loss of life.
