Punjab's Road Safety Crisis Deepens with Delayed e-DAR Implementation
Even as Punjab grapples with a persistently high number of road fatalities, the state has been slow to fully operationalize the electronic detailed accident report (e-DAR) system, raising serious concerns about its effectiveness in addressing the ongoing road safety challenge.
Understanding the e-DAR Platform and Its Critical Role
The e-DAR platform, previously known as I-RAD, was specifically developed for the comprehensive reporting, management, and in-depth analysis of road accident data. This system is meticulously designed to support evidence-based decision-making by enabling authorities to accurately identify accident-prone stretches, strategically plan corrective measures, and rigorously assess the impact of various interventions. Furthermore, the system facilitates the online generation of detailed accident reports, which is anticipated to significantly expedite compensation claims for victims and their grieving families, providing much-needed relief in times of distress.
Alarming Road Accident Statistics in Punjab
Official data reveals a grim picture: road accidents claimed a staggering 4,759 lives in Punjab during 2024 alone, underscoring the unrelenting severity of the crisis. The fatality figures have remained consistently high over recent years, with 4,829 deaths in 2023, 4,756 in 2022, 4,589 in 2021, 3,898 in 2020, and 4,525 in 2019. While Punjab occupies a middle position nationally in terms of total accident numbers, the persistently elevated death toll continues to be a matter of grave and urgent concern for public safety officials and citizens alike.
Overspeeding Emerges as the Primary Culprit
Overspeeding has been identified as the leading cause of fatal accidents across the state. In 2024, a shocking 3,140 deaths were directly attributed to excessive speed. The corresponding figures for previous years were 2,824 in 2023, 3,090 in 2022, 3,276 in 2021, and 1,805 in 2020, highlighting a troubling trend that demands immediate and effective countermeasures.
Punjab's Poor Performance in e-DAR Implementation
The progress of e-DAR implementation was thoroughly reviewed at a recent meeting of the Road Safety Council, where it was observed that Punjab's overall performance in operationalizing the system remained significantly below the desired level. According to the minutes of the council meeting, data cited from Parliament revealed that Punjab recorded only about 1,800 e-DAR entries, placing it at the very bottom among states. In stark contrast, Tamil Nadu reported an impressive 1,97,097 entries during the same period, a disparity described in the meeting as indicative of "extremely poor" progress in Punjab.
Operational Challenges and Administrative Responses
During the deliberations, the administrative secretary for transport assured the council that necessary smartphones would be provided to investigating officers at police stations to facilitate e-DAR data entry. However, it was strongly emphasized that data entry should not be delayed or discontinued under the pretext of non-availability of smartphones, as the e-DAR application can be efficiently operated on any standard smartphone or tablet. It was also pointed out that police stations across the state are already equipped with 4 to 5 tablets, which can be readily utilized for making e-DAR entries without any interruption.
Discrepancies in Data Integration and Reporting
The meeting further highlighted significant discrepancies in data handling. While the health department generated 7,900 road accident victim IDs, the police department linked only 94 accident IDs. Additionally, between January 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025, a total of 4,360 road accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, were reported in the state. Of these, the Police Department, through investigating officers, created merely 1,915 accident IDs, and from these, only 343 cases were forwarded to stakeholder departments, including road-owning agencies, the Transport Department, and the Health Department, for necessary and timely action.
Call for Urgent Intervention and Resolution
Following a detailed and rigorous discussion, it was decisively agreed that the Director General of Police, Punjab, should be formally requested to resolve these pressing issues at the earliest possible opportunity. The matter may also be escalated to the chief minister of Punjab, considering that the chief secretary has already convened two meetings regarding the implementation of e-DAR in the state, yet full operationalization has regrettably not been achieved, jeopardizing road safety efforts.
