Centre Sets Up National Road Safety Board; Retired IAS Dr Nitin R. Gokarn Appointed Chairman of 16-Member Expert Panel
In a major policy initiative aimed at making Indian roads safer and improving coordination among agencies responsible for transport and traffic management, the Central Government has formally constituted the National Road Safety Board (NRSB) under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The newly established body will function as a high-level advisory panel, bringing together experienced administrators, police leaders, transport officials, highway authorities, medical experts, road safety specialists and representatives from civil society to help shape India’s future road safety policies.
Heading the newly formed Board is Dr Nitin R. Gokarn, a retired 1990-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre and former Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh. With decades of experience in public administration, infrastructure, taxation and governance, Dr Gokarn has been entrusted with leading the 16-member panel that is expected to play a crucial role in reducing road accidents, strengthening traffic management systems and recommending evidence-based policy reforms across the country.
Board Constituted Under the Motor Vehicles Act
The National Road Safety Board has been constituted by the Government of India under Section 215B(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, creating a dedicated institutional mechanism to advise both the Central and State Governments on a wide spectrum of road safety issues.
The Board has been tasked with providing expert recommendations covering road engineering, highway infrastructure, vehicle safety standards, traffic regulation, enforcement mechanisms, emergency medical response, driver education, licensing systems and public awareness campaigns. It is also expected to guide governments on scientific research, policy formulation and long-term strategies aimed at reducing road crash fatalities.
The composition of the Board reflects the government’s effort to create a multidisciplinary platform where administrators, enforcement agencies, technical experts and public health professionals can collectively contribute towards improving road safety standards in India.
Dr Nitin R. Gokarn to Lead the National Road Safety Board
The Centre has appointed Dr Nitin R. Gokarn (Retd. IAS: 1990, Uttar Pradesh cadre) as the Chairman of the National Road Safety Board.
Widely regarded as one of the country’s experienced administrators, Dr Gokarn retired from the Indian Administrative Service after serving for nearly 36 years in a wide range of leadership positions. During his distinguished career, he handled several important departments in Uttar Pradesh, including Housing and Urban Planning as well as State Taxes, where he played key roles in administrative reforms and policy implementation.
His appointment is seen as an effort to bring seasoned administrative leadership to one of the country’s most important public safety institutions.
Senior Bureaucrats and Police Officers Included
The newly constituted Board draws its strength from a diverse group of senior government officials representing transport administration, policing and highway management.
Among the members are the Transport Commissioners of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi, each bringing extensive experience in vehicle regulation, licensing systems and transport governance.
The policing side is represented by Additional Directors General of Police from Maharashtra, Odisha and Tripura, whose expertise in traffic enforcement, public safety and law enforcement is expected to strengthen the Board’s recommendations on accident prevention and compliance.
Key Highway Agencies Get Representation
Several senior officials from India’s major road infrastructure organisations have also been inducted into the Board as ex-officio members.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is represented through the Additional Director General (East) and the Additional Director General (North/Quality Control), ensuring direct institutional coordination with the ministry responsible for national road policies.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has nominated its Member (Administration) and Member (Road Safety), while the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is represented by its Director (Technical-I).
The Member Secretary of the Board will be the Additional Secretary (Transport) or Joint Secretary (Transport) from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
