LUCKNOW: Road accidents across the six districts of Lucknow division fell marginally during the first eight months of 2026, but fatalities continued to climb, with Lucknow and Lakhimpur Kheri emerging as the biggest contributors to the rise, data reviewed at the Divisional Road Safety Committee meeting on Saturday showed.Between Jan and Aug this year, the division recorded 4,400 road accidents against 4,437 during the corresponding period in 2025.Despite the slight decline in crashes, the death toll increased from 2,359 to 2,396, while the number of injured rose from 3,242 to 3,304. The figures were reviewed at the meeting chaired by divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.Lucknow recorded the sharpest increase in accidents, rising from 1,130 to 1,264, an increase of 11.9%. Fatalities increased by 10.6%, from 432 to 478, while injuries jumped 16.2% to 1,011.Lakhimpur Kheri reported a 9.3% increase in accidents and a 12.3% rise in fatalities. Unnao, Rae Bareli, Sitapur and Hardoi registered fewer accidents than last year, although Sitapur still witnessed a 6.4% increase in deaths despite an overall decline in crashes.Taking note of the trend, the commissioner directed officials to analyse the reasons behind the increase in accidents and fatalities in Lucknow and Lakhimpur Kheri and submit a district wise report before the next review.The committee also assessed investigations into crashes claiming three or more lives under the Uttar Pradesh Road Accident Investigation Scheme, 2023.Between Jan and Aug this year such accidents were reported across the division. Officials informed the meeting that all inquiries had been completed and no investigation was pending.Notably, the commissioner directed that future reports clearly establish whether the primary cause was road engineering, enforcement lapses or human error so corrective action could be taken.Compensation for accident victims also came under review. Under the hit and run compensation scheme, 149 claims were received between Jan and Aug, 2026, of which 125 had been disposed of, leaving 24 pending.Officials also informed the committee that 25 claims filed before 2026 were still awaiting disposal, including 10 in Hardoi, seven in Rae Bareli, five in Lucknow and three in Sitapur. The commissioner directed all districts to clear the old backlog before the next meeting.Another issue flagged during the review was the implementation of the Centre’s cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims.The committee was informed that 74 private hospitals have been empanelled across the six districts, but Traffic DCP Ravina Tyagi said several empanelled hospitals were refusing to provide cashless treatment to eligible victims. The commissioner asked the health department to prepare a list of such hospitals and initiate appropriate action.704 school vehicles challaned in 5 months across Lucknow divisionEnforcement agencies challaned 704 school vehicles and seized 214 during a five month drive across the Lucknow division between April 1 and Aug 31 this year, data reviewed at the Divisional Road Safety Committee meeting showed.Authorities inspected 7,425 school vehicles during the period. Lucknow accounted for the highest enforcement, with 312 challans and 73 vehicles seized after 4,544 vehicles were checked.Rae Bareli followed with 93 challans and 34 seizures, Sitapur with 103 challans and 27 seizures, Unnao with 89 challans and 29 seizures, Lakhimpur Kheri with 61 challans and 32 seizures, and Hardoi with 46 challans and 19 seizures.The review also found 575 school vehicles with expired fitness certificates and 525 operating with expired permits across the division.
