Potholes Claim 9,438 Lives Over Five Years, Uttar Pradesh Records Over Half of Fatalities
According to official government data presented to the Lok Sabha, potholes on Indian roads have been responsible for a staggering 9,438 deaths over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024. This alarming statistic highlights a persistent and deadly infrastructure issue across the nation.
Uttar Pradesh Tops the List with 5,127 Deaths
The data reveals a particularly grim situation in Uttar Pradesh, which alone reported 5,127 pothole-related fatalities. This figure represents more than half of all deaths attributed to poor road conditions during this timeframe, underscoring a critical public safety crisis in the state.
Inconsistent Reporting Raises Serious Questions
While some states reported high numbers, more than half a dozen states and union territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, and Chandigarh, officially recorded "zero" road crashes, injuries, or deaths under the pothole category. This discrepancy has sparked significant concerns among experts about the accuracy and methodology of police data recording practices.
"It is surprising that while states like Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura have registered accidents and deaths due to potholes, there was not a single accident due to such road conditions in bigger states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar that have longer road networks," commented an expert involved in crash data investigations. "Until we have objective reporting of road crashes and their reasons, the data won't reflect the exact cause for taking corrective measures."
Steady Increase in Fatalities Since 2020
The road transport ministry's detailed response shows a consistent and worrying upward trend in pothole-related deaths. The number of fatalities rose from 1,555 in 2020, a year heavily impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, to 2,385 in 2024. This represents an increase of over 53% in just four years, indicating a worsening situation rather than improvement.
Other States with High Death Tolls
Following Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh recorded the second-highest number of pothole-related deaths at 969 over the five-year period. Other states with significant fatalities include:
- Tamil Nadu: 612 deaths
- Odisha: 425 deaths
- Punjab: 414 deaths
- Assam: 395 deaths
Among union territories, Delhi registered the maximum with 50 such fatalities. The road accident data for 2025 has not yet been published by authorities.
Historical Context and Supreme Court Intervention
The published reports on road crashes by the transport ministry indicate that overall pothole deaths actually reduced after 2017, when such fatalities reached a peak of 3,597. This previous high prompted judicial intervention.
In 2018, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of a Times of India report titled "Potholes killed 3,597 across India in 2017, terror 803" and directed authorities to take immediate action. The court observed, "it is a matter of common knowledge that a large number of people have died in accidents caused due to potholes on roads and authorities, who are supposed to maintain the roads, are not doing their duties properly."
Despite this judicial directive, the current data suggests that potholes remain a lethal hazard on Indian roads, with thousands of families losing loved ones to what many consider a preventable cause. The inconsistent reporting across states further complicates efforts to address this national infrastructure challenge effectively.
