Kolkata saw 10% jump in accidents in 2024: NCRB

Kolkata: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report on Accidents and Suicides in India 2024 has found that Kolkata has witnessed a jump of 10% in accidents from 2023 to 2024. While a total of 1,129 accidents were reported in 2023, it rose to 1,242 in 2024. The incidents left 1,150 persons injured and 92 individuals dead on the city roads.The rise is among the top 10 rises reported across 89 cities and towns of India, though the rate is much lower than Patna (39) or Lucknow (36.2). Delhi, in comparison, saw 1,151 deaths and 348 in Mumbai.Two-wheelers involved in road accidents in the city left 207 injured and claimed as many as 48 lives. Bicycles left 58 injured and eight dead. In all, 35 pedestrians were injured in 2024 and 15 pedestrians died on the city roads.Trucks injured 237 persons and killed six others. Buses left 277 injured; they too killed six persons. Cars injured 233 persons but killed none. Three-wheelers left 56 injured and claimed one life.Overall, Aug was the worst month that left 132 dead. The least number of accidents — a total of 90 — were reported in the month of Feb.Kolkata has witnessed the maximum deaths immediately after the peak office hours, a time when vehicle movements reduce but there is still considerable pressure on the roads.The city witnessed 231 accidents between 9 pm and 12 midnight in 2024, the numbers being just 177 in 2023. Another 199 accidents took place between 6 pm and 9 pm. In comparison, just 91 accidents were reported between 6 am and 9 am and another 178 were reported between 9 am and 12 noon.Overall, Kolkata has emerged as the safest city among all the big cities and metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad with the least number of fatalities among them.The NCRB has stated that there were 180 cases of dangerous driving. A staggering 79 people lost their lives due to this reason out of a total of 92. Overspeeding led to six deaths and drunk driving contributed to three deaths.Traffic cops said that Kolkata Police have conducted awareness campaigns across the city even as they relied on technology to cut down on accidents. "As a result, awareness regarding road safety among residents of Kolkata has increased significantly. Add to it the use of technology — especially the use of camera-based surveillance and prosecution — all of which has helped us cut down on accidents," said a top official in the traffic wing of Lalbazar.