New Dashboards Aim to Curb Fatalities, Improve Road Safety
New Delhi: The Public Works Department (PWD) has teamed up with experts from the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to roll out a suite of digital tools aimed at curbing accidents and improving commuter safety.
According to the Delhi Traffic Police, 2024 saw 1,132 crashes at 111 identified black spots, resulting in 483 deaths and 649 injuries. By mid-2025, another 25 black spots had emerged, linked to 176 accidents and 88 more fatalities. While officials say fatal accidents dropped by nearly 15% in early 2025, many stretches of road remain perilous.
At a recent review meeting, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma announced several new platforms—currently in development—designed to monitor roads in real time, speed up response to complaints, and ensure long-term fixes. “We are committed to using technology to bring safety and convenience to every citizen,” Mr Verma stated.
Among the key tools under development is the Road Asset Mapping Application, which will digitally log Delhi’s road infrastructure, helping officials better track and target accident-prone zones.
Lighting the Way – or Not
Dark spots continue to plague road safety, with poor street lighting blamed for many accidents. A May 2025 PWD report showed that, of 4,289 lighting black spots, only around 2,800 had been resolved. To address this, the government is working on a Street Light Monitoring System and Dark Spot Dashboard to fast-track repairs via public and police input.
Potholes and Monsoon Woes
In June 2025 alone, the PWD repaired over 3,400 potholes across 1,400 km of roads—only to see many reopen with the monsoon rains. A real-time Pothole and Waterlogging Complaint Dashboard is now being built to ensure swifter response.