India, March 6 -- Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the government aims to reduce road accident rates by half by 2030 and said accidents contribute to an economic loss of 3% to GDP.

"India witnessed 4,80,000 road accidents, 1,80,000 deaths, and about 4,00,000 serious injuries. Out of these 1,40,000 accident deaths are in the age of 18-45 years and affecting mostly two-wheeler riders and pedestrians," Gadkari said citing the latest (2022) nationwide data.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of two-day Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS) in New Delhi.

Gadkari also highlighted the need for improved road safety measures and called upon the road construction industry to develop st...