In a significant step towards strengthening India’s road safety ecosystem and fostering a culture of responsible mobility among the youth, the Road Safety Conclave 2026 was successfully held at Vivekanand School, Anand Vihar, Delhi. Organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, the conclave brought together policymakers, educators, students, and civil society with the objective of translating awareness into sustained, meaningful action.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from nearly 4,000 students from Classes 3 to 12 and over 500 teachers from around 100 schools, reflecting a strong grassroots commitment to road safety. The conclave was graced by Shri Harsh Malhotra ji, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Corporate Affairs, as the Chief Guest—underscoring the government’s continued focus on building safer, smarter, and more resilient road networks. MLA Shri Om Prakash Sharma ji and local councillors Monika Pant ji, Ramesh Garg ji, and Pankaj Luthra ji also graced the occasion.

A key highlight of the conclave was its focus on students as change-makers. Participants from Classes III to XII actively engaged in a wide range of activities, including poster-making, role-play challenges, nukkad natak, panel discussions, documentary creation, and innovation challenges. These initiatives were designed not only to educate but also to empower students to become Road Safety Ambassadors within their communities, encouraging responsible behaviour and amplifying awareness at the grassroots level.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Harsh Malhotra emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the guidance of Minister of Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, highway development has accelerated significantly, with a strong emphasis on integrating safety features alongside infrastructure expansion. The nation has made significant strides in developing safe, smart, and sustainable road infrastructure.

Shri Malhotra stated that roads are not merely physical assets but vital lifelines that connect people, opportunities, and economic progress. Highlighting India’s progress, he stated that the country today has a network of approximately 146,000 km of National Highways, placing it among the largest in the world. This approach aligns with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, where development is balanced with safety, sustainability, and citizen well-being.

Shri Malhotra highlighted that since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, road safety has been elevated to a national priority through the adoption of the comprehensive 4E strategy—Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Care—aimed at achieving a Zero Fatality Vision. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 has further strengthened enforcement through stringent penalties. However, he stressed that enforcement must be complemented by behavioural change and sustained public awareness.

Shri Malhotra stated that East Delhi, being a major gateway to the capital, has a high traffic density, making it imperative to prioritise it as a key zone for school-based awareness initiatives.

Recognising that road safety extends beyond prevention, Shri Malhotra stated that the government has introduced several citizen-centric measures, including the PM RAHAT Scheme, wherein accident victims will receive cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh, ensuring that no life is lost due to a lack of immediate medical help. This is supported by strengthened emergency response systems, including highway helplines, advanced ambulance networks, trauma care centres, and rapid response teams. Infrastructure improvements such as crash barriers, intelligent signage, reflective markings, pedestrian facilities, and black spot rectification programmes have further enhanced road safety. The use of technology—including AI-based monitoring, intelligent transport systems, automated enforcement, and FASTag-enabled tolling—continues to play a transformative role.

The Minister stated that road safety is essential to protect lives and prevent accidents, and that following traffic rules, wearing helmets and seat belts, and avoiding distractions like mobile phones can save lives. He further emphasised that responsible driving, proper road infrastructure, and awareness among citizens are key to reducing fatalities and ensuring safer roads for everyone.

The Road Safety Conclave also reinforced the importance of collective responsibility by bringing together government agencies, educational institutions, and citizens. Key objectives include promoting behavioural change, establishing school-level Road Safety Clubs, implementing Gate Safety Patrol systems, and generating data-driven insights for scalable interventions.

A poignant anecdote shared by Shri Malhotra during the event highlighted how a child’s insistence on helmet use eventually transformed behaviour within a family after a serious accident—demonstrating how small actions can create a ripple effect across communities.

The conclave motivated students to adopt simple yet life-saving habits such as wearing helmets, fastening seat belts, and adhering to speed limits.

As the conclave concluded, participants collectively pledged to follow traffic rules, prioritise safety, and spread awareness. The message resonated clearly: Safe Roads, Safe India. With this shared commitment, the nation moves steadily towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, where progress goes hand in hand with safety under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.

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GDH/HJ

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