Bengaluru tops pedestrian fatalities in 2023 at 292, NCRB Report reveals

Bengaluru has emerged as the most dangerous city for pedestrians in 2023, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. The city recorded a staggering 292 pedestrian deaths and 1,021 injuries, the highest among 53 Indian cities. Ahmedabad followed closely with 236 fatalities, while Jaipur registered 201 deaths.

Also read: Bengaluru’s pothole crisis pushes CM Siddaramaiah to set October deadline

The NCRB’s Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2023 report, released on September 29, highlights that India witnessed 4.64 lakh road accidents and 1.73 lakh fatalities across urban areas. Delhi and Bengaluru accounted for 9% and 5.7% of the total road accident deaths, respectively.

Karnataka ranked third in pedestrian deaths

On the state level, Karnataka ranked third in pedestrian deaths, with 2,386 fatalities in 2023, trailing behind Tamil Nadu (4,577 deaths) and Bihar (3,462 deaths). The report also pointed to civic negligence as a contributing factor in fatalities. In Bengaluru, 20 deaths were linked to poor infrastructure, including potholes, broken footpaths, and faulty public services. The city has topped the list of metropolitan areas for civic negligence-related fatalities for four consecutive years. A recent incident on September 29, where a 20-year-old student was run over near Budigere Cross, further raised concerns over road conditions.

Bengaluru's ongoing pedestrian infrastructure issues, especially in areas like Indiranagar and Whitefield, were also noted. These regions, lacking essential amenities such as functional footpaths, crosswalks, and traffic signals, remain high-risk zones for pedestrian accidents.