India, Aug. 5 -- Fatalities in accidents on national highways declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2025, with deaths falling by 4 per cent to 62,122, even as the overall number of road accidents across the country increased, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday, August 5.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said accident-related deaths on national highways stood at 64,772 in 2024 and 63,112 in 2023, before declining in 2025.

However, Gadkari said the total number of road accidents in the country rose by 5.30 per cent to 5,13,563 in 2025, claiming 1,83,382 lives, equivalent to around 21 deaths every hour. The figures are based on data reported by...