Hyderabad Third Most Accident-Prone City in India; Telangana Records Nearly 8,000 Road Deaths in 2024

Hyderabad recorded 3,785 road accidents in 2024, making it the third most accident-prone city in India after Delhi and Bengaluru, according to the National Crime Records Bureau's 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2024' report. The city saw a 28.6% increase from 2023, with 301 deaths and 3,393 injuries, the majority involving two-wheelers and pedestrians.

Statewide, Telangana reported 25,986 road accidents in 2024, a 13.5% rise from 2023, resulting in 7,949 deaths and 23,658 injuries. Two-wheelers were linked to 4,216 deaths, while 1,586 pedestrians were killed. Most accidents occurred between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with state roads accounting for 15,359 crashes and 4,197 fatalities, followed by National Highways with 8,594 accidents and 3,065 deaths.

The NCRB data identified peak traffic hours as the most dangerous, with over half of all accidents occurring between noon and 9 p.m. State roads and urban stretches in Hyderabad showed the highest concentration of incidents, while expressways reported minimal crashes. Pedestrian safety and two-wheeler regulations remain critical concerns.

Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of road accidents nationally with 67,296 cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. Telangana ranked seventh in total accidents. Among vehicles, autorickshaws caused 336 deaths in the state, buses caused 109, and heavy vehicles caused 385.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is expected to review the NCRB data to inform state-level traffic safety measures. Telangana transport and police officials are likely to assess enforcement and infrastructure improvements, particularly in Hyderabad, ahead of the next quarterly review.