IIT Madras-Led Initiative Trains Youth Volunteers to Lead India’s Road Safety Movement

In a significant push to tackle India's rising road accident burden through community-led action, the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT Madras, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has successfully conducted its first physical training-cum-workshop for Sadak Suraksha Mitra (SSM) volunteers.

Held from March 16–18, 2026, in Faridabad, the three-day intensive programme trained 53 youth volunteers from 5 states and 13 districts, marking a major step toward building a nationwide, youth-driven road safety ecosystem.

Youth at the Core of Road Safety Strategy

The Sadak Suraksha Mitra initiative aims to transform young citizens into grassroots road safety leaders, supporting district administrations in reducing accidents and saving lives.

Participants were trained to assist District Road Safety Committees (DRSCs) in three critical domains:

• First response to road accidents, including emergency assistance

• Road safety audits to identify high-risk zones

• Administrative support for district-level safety initiatives

The programme reflects a shift toward community participation and decentralised interventions in road safety governance.

Prevention Over Cure: Government's Key Message

Addressing the valedictory session in New Delhi, Shri V. Umashankar, Secretary, MoRTH, stressed that while post-accident response is important, preventing accidents must remain the top priority.

"Every road accident has an underlying cause. If we identify and address it, we can prevent recurrence," he said, urging volunteers to adopt a problem-solving, data-driven approach.

He encouraged participants to translate training into actionable outcomes at the district level, working closely with local authorities.

Stark Statistics Highlight Urgency

Highlighting the gravity of India's road safety challenge, the Secretary shared key data points:

• 45% of road accident fatalities involve two-wheelers, largely due to non-use of helmets

• 20% of fatalities involve pedestrians, pointing to gaps in infrastructure and safety design

He called for intensified awareness campaigns, especially around helmet usage, and improvements in pedestrian infrastructure such as crossings and traffic-calming measures.

Targeted Action in High-Risk Districts

Reinforcing the government's focused approach, Shri Umashankar noted that 100 high-accident districts have already been identified for targeted interventions.

Volunteers were urged to:

• Analyse local accident patterns

• Identify root causes

• Advocate solutions with district authorities

He likened their role to that of "soldiers serving the nation," emphasizing that saving even a single life is a meaningful achievement.

Training Designed for Real-World Impact

The workshop combined theoretical knowledge with practical insights, equipping volunteers to:

• Respond effectively in emergency situations

• Conduct on-ground safety assessments

• Engage communities in behavioural change campaigns

Officials said the initiative is expected to create a multiplier effect, as trained volunteers mobilise communities and spread awareness at the grassroots level.

Building a Nationwide Road Safety Movement

The programme concluded with a valedictory session at MoRTH, attended by Shri Mahmood Ahmed (Additional Secretary) and Shri R.P. Shukla (Director), alongside senior officials.

Participants were encouraged to return to their districts as "road safety champions", driving local initiatives and contributing to national goals.

Towards Safer Roads

With India accounting for one of the highest numbers of road accident fatalities globally, initiatives like Sadak Suraksha Mitra signal a strategic shift toward citizen-led safety interventions.

By empowering youth with skills, data, and institutional support, the government aims to build a sustainable, community-driven framework for reducing road accidents and saving lives.