33 accidents, 10 deaths daily on MP highways:₹21 crore spent everyday on highways, yet road accidents continue unabated in state

Despite the ministry spending nearly Rs 21 crore every day on highway maintenance and development, the deteriorating road conditions and the alarming rise in fatal accidents in Madhya Pradesh show no signs of abating. The grim reality of the state’s highways remains unchanged. As per the data presented in a written reply by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the Lok Sabha, revealed that Madhya Pradesh records an average of 33 road accidents daily, resulting in 10–11 deaths every day on national highways. The figures raise serious questions about the effectiveness of highway maintenance, safety measures, and on-ground implementation. ₹38,700 crore spent in five years According to the ministry, between 2020–21 and 2024–25, Madhya Pradesh received a total of ₹38,700 crore for national highway maintenance and development. This translates to an average annual expenditure of ₹7,740 crore. The government stated that the funds were used for: Over 12,000 accidents every year Parliamentary data further reveals the scale of the crisis. Between 2021 and 2025, Madhya Pradesh recorded: This means the state witnesses around 12,235 accidents and 3,883 deaths every year on average, placing it among the most accident-prone states in the country. Amount spent on Development and Maintenance Thousands of kilometres added, but safety lags Over the past five years, the Centre has awarded more than 4,000 km of national highway projects to Madhya Pradesh. While infrastructure expansion has accelerated, the persistent accident figures suggest deeper issues related to maintenance quality, highway design, and safety enforcement. Experts argue that simply increasing road length and spending does not automatically translate into safer travel unless safety standards are rigorously enforced. Government cites speeding and negligence In its response to Parliament, the ministry attributed road accidents primarily to: However, road safety experts say these explanations are incomplete unless accompanied by effective monitoring of black spots, proper signage, adequate lighting, service roads, and continuous safety audits. The Bigger Question With Rs 21 crore being spent every single day, the continued loss of lives on Madhya Pradesh’s highways has sparked a crucial question:
Where is the gap between spending and safety—and who is accountable? The data underscores the urgent need for outcome-based monitoring, stricter safety enforcement, and transparent audits to ensure that massive public spending actually saves lives on the ground.