701 of 1,278 accident black spots on NH in Karnataka rectified

As many as 701 of the 1,278 accident-prone ‘black spots’ identified on National Highways (NH) in Karnataka have been rectified through long-term measures, according to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

With 1,278 black spots, Karnataka ranks sixth among States with the highest number of accident-prone locations on National Highways in the country. Only Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab and West Bengal have reported a higher number of such locations, as per State-wise data compiled by the Ministry.

Officials explained that black spots are identified based on a defined threshold of accidents involving fatalities or grievous injuries, using accident reports submitted by State governments. “These locations are flagged after analysing accident frequency and severity over a specified period,” an official said.

While over half of Karnataka’s identified black spots have been permanently addressed, 577 locations are yet to be rectified through long-term solutions, officials said. “In Karnataka, sustained efforts have resulted in the permanent rectification of more than 700 black spots,” an official noted.

Corrective measures

Pending locations are currently being managed through short-term corrective measures, including improved road markings, installation of signage, crash barriers, road studs, and delineators, closure of unauthorised median openings, and traffic-calming measures. “These interventions are aimed at immediately reducing accident risk until permanent engineering solutions are put in place,” the official said.

Long-term rectification works typically involve improvements in road geometry, junction redesign, spot widening of carriageways, and construction of underpasses or overpasses. Officials pointed out that such works require extensive pre-construction activities such as land acquisition, forest clearances and shifting of utilities, which often lead to delays. “These processes are time-consuming but necessary to ensure durable safety outcomes,” the official added.

Data-driven interventions

The Ministry has strengthened data-driven interventions through the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) system, earlier known as the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD). According to officials, eDAR serves as a central repository for reporting, management, and analysis of road accident data across the country. “The platform enables authorities to identify accident-prone locations using analytics, track remedial measures, monitor compliance, and ensure efficient processing of road accident claims,” the official added.

The Karnataka Transport Department rolled out the Centre’s eDAR system in the State recently.