International Road Federation (Irf) Expresses Concern At Alarming Rise In Fatalities Due To Non-Compliance Of Work Zone Safety Norms
New Delhi: The India chapter of the International Road Federation (IRF) , a road safety body working for better and safer roads, has expressed serious concern over the growing number of fatalities and severe road crashes taking place in and around road construction zones across India.
The pace of infrastructure development, including the widening of roads and highway maintenance, is commendable. It is a matter of serious concern that these projects are being carried out without adherence to basic Work Zone Safety norms prescribed under Indian Road Congress (IRC) :Special Publication code (SP) :55:2014.
“Across numerous active construction sites, IRF-India Chapter has observe lack of advance warning signs for diversions or lane closures, absence of reflective tapes, barricades or cones, Poorly marked or unlit diversions which is extremely dangerous resulting in serious accidents, especially at night, no deployment of flagmen and marshals and inadequate speed calming measures.” Said Mr Akhilesh Srivastva, President , International Road Federation , India Chapter (IRF-IC)
“This has led to a disturbing spike in head-on collisions, wrong-side driving and fatal crashes, all of which are preventable. A recent tragic incident on the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway is a stark example. A fatal head-on crash involving two vehicles occurred due to an unmarked diversion caused by ongoing roadworks. The lack of signage and lane separation led one vehicle onto the wrong side of the carriageway, resulting in the death of both occupants.” Mr Srivastava said .
“Such tragedies are not isolated events — they are the result of systemic negligence and regulatory indifference. The non-compliance with IRC:SP:55:2014 is unacceptable and must be treated as a punishable offence. Human lives cannot be sacrificed at the altar of hurried construction and cost-cutting.
IRF-IC urgently demands immediate action from all stakeholders including mandatory compliance with IRC Work Zone Safety Guidelines for all NHAI, State PWD, and private road contractors. Safety audits to be conducted before, during, and after construction works .Public disclosure of work zone plans, diversion maps and timelines. Strict penalties and criminal liability for fatalities arising from work zone violations by concerned authorities .
IRF-IC reiterates its commitment to working with the Government of India, transport authorities, infrastructure developers, and civil society to ensure Zero Fatalities in Work Zones. Roads are meant to connect lives — not end them.
