Nagpur: Statistics from the city's traffic department reveal that accident-related deaths in the first 11 months of 2024 have surpassed the total fatalities recorded last year. As per data, till November this year, 310 people — 264 males and 46 females — were killed in 1,131 accidents. Last year, 308 persons, 258 males and 50 females, died in 1,213 accidents.
Three traffic zones of city police — Ajni, MIDC, and Sadar — accounted for 44% of the total accidents reported in the last 11 months. Ajni zone reported the highest number of accidents (189), followed by MIDC zone (161) and Sadar (149). Compared to 2023, accidents have reduced in the Ajni area, but MIDC and Sadar reported a slight increase. Similarly, the Indora zone, which reported 171 accidents in 2023, saw a significant drop with 131 accidents being reported.
The MIDC zone reported the highest number of accident fatalities (61) so far this year, while the Ajni zone witnessed 50 deaths. As per data, Kamptee and Indora zones have witnessed a worrying rise in fatalities. Indora reported 26 deaths in 2023, which increased to 41 in 2024. Kamptee reported 50 fatalities in 2023, the death toll is the same till November this year.
Since DCP Archit Chandak took over the traffic department, accident fatalities have seen a drop in the last three months. Chandak took over in September, a month in which 18 deaths were reported, followed by October (14) and November (25).
Senior PI of Ajni traffic zone, Ritesh Aher, said that the highest number of accidents were reported in his zones. "Most accidents are reported on highways, namely between Vihirgaon and Panjri Naka, and Chinchbhavan Square to Panjri Naka. Our analysis showed that absence of sign boards confused motorists which led to accidents. Now, we have put up signages installed on the routes," said PI Aher, adding that heavy vehicles and speeding are also reasons for accidents. "Most accidents happened during the nighttime," added Aher.
The MIDC zone, having jurisdiction over areas on the outskirts of the city, has also witnessed a rise in accidents and resulting fatalities. Sources said that the plying of heavy vehicles and speeding are the major factors behind the rise. This year, July reported the highest number of accidents, 121, in which 41 people were killed in the zone.
Cotton Market and Lakadganj zones, which have densely populated market areas with narrow lanes, have reported least accidents. Cotton Market zone reported 36 accidents this year and 8 deaths, while 45 accidents were reported in Lakadganj zone leading to 12 fatalities. Experts pointed out that these zones having narrow roads witness frequent traffic jams bringing down vehicle speed as well as number of accidents.