Ludhiana: A recent report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has highlighted a concerning trend for Ludhiana, as the city ranked among the top 15 cities in India for road accident deaths in 2024. While there was a slight reduction in the number of road accidents compared to the previous year, the city continues to grapple with high fatality rates.
Key statistics from the NCRB report
According to the latest NCRB data, 376 people lost their lives in 483 road accidents in Ludhiana during 2024. This placed the city 14th among 53 cities nationwide in terms of fatal road accidents. Delhi topped the list with 1,551 deaths, followed by Bengaluru (894) and Jaipur (860). Within the Punjab and Chandigarh region, Ludhiana ranked first, with Amritsar in second place. In 2023, Ludhiana was ranked 12th among approximately 50 cities.
Year-on-year comparison
Compared to 2023, road accident deaths in Ludhiana decreased by 6.5% in 2024. Data since 2020 shows that deaths peaked in 2023 (402 fatalities) and were lowest in 2020 (281 fatalities). The number of accidents also declined from 504 in 2023 to 483 in 2024.
Major causes of fatalities
The NCRB report identified overspeeding as the leading cause of road accident deaths in 2024, responsible for 168 fatalities (44.6% of the total). Dangerous or careless driving, including overtaking, was the second major cause, contributing 88 deaths. Animal crossings accounted for 15 deaths.
Expert insights
Kamaljeet Soi, former member of the National Safety Council, noted that Ludhiana remains among the top five cities in India for fatality rate. He attributed this to poor road conditions, lack of traffic rule enforcement, and inadequate traffic management. Soi highlighted that the city has only about 70 police officers per lakh population, far below the recommended norm of 220 per lakh. He stressed the need for improved infrastructure to enhance road safety.
City resident Kimti Rawal emphasized the urgent need for stricter road safety measures and greater public awareness to reduce accidents.
Accident statistics (2020-2024)
- 2020: 388 accidents, 281 deaths, 183 injuries
- 2021: 478 accidents, 380 deaths, 169 injuries
- 2022: 467 accidents, 364 deaths, 174 injuries
- 2023: 504 accidents, 402 deaths, 209 injuries
- 2024: 483 accidents, 376 deaths, 199 injuries
City rankings for road accident deaths in 2024
- Delhi: 1,551 deaths
- Bengaluru: 894 deaths
- Jaipur: 860 deaths
- Lucknow: 600 deaths
- Agra: 586 deaths
- Kanpur: 560 deaths
- Prayagraj: 547 deaths
- Chennai: 542 deaths
- Raipur: 467 deaths
- Vijayawada: 430 deaths
- Ahmedabad: 410 deaths
- Pune: 381 deaths
- Ghaziabad: 377 deaths
- Ludhiana: 376 deaths
