Shimla:
In a major step towards reducing road accidents and strengthening the road safety system in Shimla district, it has been decided to expand the scope of the Road Safety Committee. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Road Safety Committee chaired by Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap here today.
The Road Safety Committee will now function at the sub-divisional level under the leadership of the respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs). The committee will include Executive Engineers (XENs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and other stakeholders. Earlier, the committee operated only at the district level, but it will now be actively implemented at the sub-division level to enhance public safety, promote awareness about traffic rules, prevent road accidents, and encourage timely assistance to accident victims during the golden hour.
The Deputy Commissioner said that in case of death due to a road accident, an ex-gratia amount of ₹4 lakh must be released within 15 days. The complete responsibility for ensuring timely disbursement will rest with the concerned SDM, who must ensure that the assistance reaches the affected family within the stipulated period. He noted that in many cases, families are forced to make repeated visits to offices, which will now be avoided.
To provide financial and other assistance to road accident victims referred to Shimla hospitals from across the district, the Urban SDM has been appointed as the nodal officer. Affected persons can directly contact the office of the Urban SDM to ensure that victims do not face any difficulties during treatment.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that a comprehensive National Road Safety Month campaign is being conducted from January 1 to January 31, 2026, to reduce road accidents and promote safe traffic practices. The campaign focuses on public awareness, strict enforcement of traffic rules, and active community participation across Shimla city and the entire district.
The campaign includes road safety pledges, special enforcement drives, awareness programs on drunk driving, wrong-side driving, helmet and seatbelt compliance, and lane discipline. Workshops are being organized for school and college students, taxi and bus drivers, and the general public. Activities such as street plays, safety quizzes, identification and training of road safety volunteers, free eye check-up camps for drivers, and promotion of the Good Samaritan Incentive Scheme to encourage people to help accident victims are also part of the campaign.
Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma and other stakeholders were present at the meeting.
Box: Road Accident Statistics – 2025
Regional Transport Officer Vishva Mohan Dev Chauhan informed that in 2025, a total of 1,920 road accidents were reported in the state, resulting in 789 deaths and 3,030 injuries. In Shimla district alone, 268 road accidents were recorded, leading to 102 deaths and 436 injuries.
The top five police stations in terms of road accidents in the district were:
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Baluganj Police Station: 40 accidents, 10 deaths
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Rohru Police Station: 33 accidents, 8 deaths
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New Shimla Police Station: 21 accidents, 6 deaths
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Theog Police Station: 21 accidents, 7 deaths
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Kumarsain Police Station: 18 accidents, 10 deaths
On average, one death occurred in every three road accidents in the district. A total of 114 accidents occurred on National Highways, resulting in 15 deaths and 207 injuries. On State Highways, 27 accidents led to 21 deaths, while 129 accidents on other roads resulted in 60 deaths.
Urban areas recorded 74 accidents, whereas 194 accidents occurred in rural areas. Peak accident timings were between 6 pm and 12 midnight in urban areas, and between 3 pm and 9 pm in rural regions.
A total of 208 accidents occurred due to behavioral violations such as over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, and wrong-lane driving, resulting in 77 deaths.
