Dikhyaa Mohanty 
India’s has identified 5,803 black spots on National Highways based on accident and fatality data of 2015-2018 in 30 states and Union Territories as informed by the government to the Lok Sabha.
According to the reports, in the reply to the Lok Sabha Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari stated that out of the 5,803 black spots, temporary measures have been taken on 5,167 black spots and 2,923 black spots have been permanently rectified. Road accident black spot is a stretch of National Highway of about 500m in length in which either five road accidents (in all three years put together involving fatalities/grievous injuries) took place during the last three calendar years or 10 fatalities (in all three years put together) took place during the last three calendar years.
The report further added that to rectify the black spots, the ministry has taken several steps. The black spots are being rectified by immediate short-term measures such as cautionary road signs and markings, transverse bar markings, rumble strips and solar blinkers, among others.
Gadkari further added that for long-term rectification, measures such as flyovers, underpasses, foot overbridges, service roads etc. are being provided wherever required. Each black spot location is being inspected by the road safety officers from the regional offices, project directors of the concerned PIU along road safety experts who recommend the mitigation measures. Based on the recommendations, approval is being granted by the regional officers.
