Kolkata’s road safety conversation is increasingly focusing on the people who are most exposed to traffic risks: pedestrians. A recent analysis by IIT Kharagpur has highlighted the need to make pedestrian safety a central part of the city’s road safety strategy.
For pedestrians, safety is not only about following traffic rules. The condition and design of roads also play an important role. Unsafe crossings, inadequate footpaths, poorly positioned bus stops, limited visibility and high vehicle speeds can force pedestrians into dangerous situations. An IIT-led safety audit of Kolkata’s EM Bypass, for instance, identified several hazardous stretches and recommended measures such as safer crossings, pedestrian refuge islands, improved signage and better placement of bus stops.
The city has already introduced several measures aimed at reducing road accidents, including improved crossings, speed-control interventions, barriers and surveillance technology. Kolkata also recorded a decline in fatal road accidents in 2025, showing that targeted safety initiatives can make a difference.
However, long-term improvement will require a broader approach. Roads need to be designed not just to move vehicles efficiently but also to protect people walking on them.
A safer Kolkata will ultimately be one where pedestrians can cross roads, use footpaths and move around the city without constantly feeling vulnerable.
