Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today launched a public appeal at the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2026 in Mumbai, calling on citizens to participate in a nationwide movement to make roads safer, more disciplined and more humane. Addressing a large gathering, Gadkari said that road safety extends beyond rule compliance and requires building a sustained culture of responsibility, sensitivity and respect for every life on the road.
Gadkari framed the campaign as a moral and civic mission rather than a narrow enforcement exercise. He stressed that behavioural change — by motorists, pedestrians and all road users — is essential to reduce accidents and fatalities. “Traffic rules alone will not solve the crisis; we must nurture empathy for vulnerable road users, discipline in driving practices and a collective resolve to protect human life,” he said.
The minister publicly thanked a group of prominent cultural figures who have lent their voices to the Sadak Suraksha campaign to amplify its reach and impact. He named the following personalities for their support and participation:
Amitabh Bachchan
Shankar Mahadevan
Alia Bhatt
Vicky Kaushal
Kay Kay Menon
Swanand Kirkire
Gadkari underlined the strategic role of celebrity endorsements in changing public perceptions and accelerating adoption of safe behaviour. He urged citizens to treat road safety as a shared responsibility: to follow traffic laws, to avoid reckless driving, to observe speed limits, to ensure seat belt and helmet use, and to assist victims when accidents occur. He also appealed to community leaders, civil society organisations and local authorities to reinforce the campaign through sustained outreach and local action.
The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2026, launched amid rising concern over road casualties, is intended to combine public awareness, behavioural interventions and targeted enforcement. At the Mumbai event Gadkari called for a nationwide citizens movement that complements government measures and helps create safer streets through everyday decisions by commuters, motorists and pedestrians.
The minister concluded by reiterating that road safety is fundamentally a social compact: protecting lives requires persistent effort from government agencies, private sector partners, local communities and every individual road user.
