In a startling revelation concerning road safety and legal compliance, official data presented in the Lok Sabha has disclosed that over 41.61 lakh vehicles in Haryana are currently plying on the roads without valid insurance. The statistics were shared by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in response to a question raised by Hoshiarpur MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal.
The data highlights a widespread violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which mandates third-party insurance for all vehicles. Driving without insurance is a punishable offense that attracts hefty fines and can lead to the impoundment of the vehicle. More critically, in the event of an accident involving an uninsured vehicle, victims often face immense legal hurdles in claiming compensation, as the financial liability shifts entirely to the vehicle owner.
While Haryana’s figures are alarming, the Minister’s reply indicated that the problem is nationwide. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 2.10 crore uninsured vehicles, followed by Maharashtra (1.60 crore) and Tamil Nadu (1.27 crore). Haryana’s neighbor, Punjab, has an even higher count of 56.54 lakh uninsured vehicles, while the national capital, Delhi, has 30.95 lakh.
Gadkari emphasized that the government is adopting a multi-pronged strategy based on the “4Es”—Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care—to improve road safety. However, the high number of uninsured vehicles suggests a significant gap in enforcement and public awareness regarding the financial risks of letting insurance policies lapse.