Pedestrian deaths rise on Yamuna Expressway despite walking ban, shows data

Despite a ban on people walking on the Yamuna Expressway, there has been a rise in pedestrian deaths in road crashes on the route over the years, with 41 per cent of the fatalities taking place in 2023 alone, according to data procured through RTI Act.

Altogether 39 pedestrians lost their lives along the 165-km Yamuna Expressway since 2012, when it was opened for commuters. Of these, 16 fatalities were recorded in 2023 --? the highest any year, the date showed.

Supreme Court lawyer and road safety activist Kishan Chand Jain had sought year-wise details on accidents, injuries and fatalities involving pedestrians from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

The RTI reply stated that Yamuna Expressway, built by Jaypee Infratech, is an "access controlled expressway" where pedestrians are not allowed to move or cross it.

The total number of pedestrian-related accidents on the expressway from 2012 to 2023 stood at 103 while