By: Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Jul 30: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1,109 road accidents on National Highways in 2026, in which 206 people lost their lives, and 1,658 others were injured, according to data tabled by the Centre in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The figures, released by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, are based on information available with the government for National Highways and expressways. The ministry said the 2026 data has been sourced through the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal and may be subject to further reporting.
The data indicates a steady decline in the number of reported road accidents in the Union Territory over the past five years. While 2,378 accidents were recorded in 2022, the number came down to 2,342 in 2023, 2,120 in 2024 and 1,867 in 2025 before dropping to 1,109 this year.
Fatalities, however, showed a mixed trend. Road accident deaths stood at 259 in 2022, rose to 294 in 2023, dipped to 271 in 2024, increased sharply to 431 in 2025 and declined to 206 in 2026.
According to the ministry, 17 victims killed in National Highway accidents this year were below 18 years of age. Another 25 were in the 18-25 age group, while 40 fatalities were reported among those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The data further showed that 29 people aged 35-45 years, 28 in the 45-60 age bracket and 12 above 60 years died in highway accidents during the year. The age of 55 victims could not be ascertained.
The ministry also shared details of the implementation of the PM-RAHAT (Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) scheme, under which 472 claims were initiated by hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir till July 28.
Of these, 51 claims have been approved by the State Health Authority, while 43 have been settled. The annexure placed before Parliament showed no disbursement amount against the settled claims in the Union Territory.
In neighbouring Ladakh, 119 road accidents on National Highways claimed 17 lives and left 177 people injured during 2026. Under the PM-RAHAT scheme, all 12 claims initiated in the Union Territory were approved and settled, although the amount paid was listed as nil.
At the national level, the ministry said 77,234 road accidents on National Highways were reported in 2026, resulting in 34,610 deaths and injuries to 60,224 people.
The Centre said the PM-RAHAT scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13 this year under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, provides cashless treatment to road accident victims. It added that states and Union Territories have been advised to empanel more hospitals, particularly near accident-prone stretches, to ensure timely emergency care for victims. (KNO)
