New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening road safety governance in the country, the Central Government has constituted the National Road Safety Board (NRSB) under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Retired IAS officer Dr Nitin R. Gokarn, former Additional Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, has been appointed as the Chairman of the newly constituted Board, which brings together senior bureaucrats, police officers, transport commissioners, road safety experts, public health specialists and highway authorities to advise the government on improving road safety across India.
Board Constituted Under Motor Vehicles Act
The Government of India has constituted the National Road Safety Board by exercising powers under Section 215B(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The Board has been established to strengthen institutional mechanisms for road safety and provide expert advice to the Central and State Governments on matters relating to road engineering, vehicle safety, traffic management, enforcement, emergency care, education and overall road safety policy.
The Board comprises senior officials from the Central Government, State Governments, highway agencies, police departments and eminent experts from academia and civil society.
Dr Nitin R. Gokarn Appointed Chairman
The Central Government has appointed Dr Nitin R. Gokarn (Retd. IAS: 1990: Uttar Pradesh) as the Chairman of the National Road Safety Board.
A highly experienced administrator, Dr Gokarn retired from the Uttar Pradesh cadre after an illustrious career spanning more than three decades in public administration.
He previously served as Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, handling key departments including Housing & Urban Planning and State Taxes.
Senior Bureaucrats and Police Officers on the Board
The Board includes senior officials representing transport administration, policing and highway management from across the country.
Transport Commissioners
- Uttar Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
- Delhi
Additional Directors General of Police
- Maharashtra
- Odisha
- Tripura
These members will contribute their expertise in traffic enforcement, transport regulation and public safety.
Ex-Officio Members
The Board also includes senior officials from major road infrastructure agencies.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
- Additional Director General (East)
- Additional Director General (North/Quality Control)
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- Member (Administration)
- Member (Road Safety)
National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
- Director (Technical-I)
Member Secretary
- Additional Secretary (Transport)/Joint Secretary (Transport), Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Experts from Diverse Fields Join the Board
The National Road Safety Board also comprises distinguished experts from policing, road safety, public health, transport education and civil society.
The members include:
- Satyendra Garg (Retd. IPS) – Expert in Enforcement Strategies and Traffic Management
- Arushi Baluja Sahi – Head of Driver Training, Public Health, CSR and International Relations, Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE)
- Harsh A. Poddar (IPS) – Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural)
- Gaurav Upadhyay (IPS) – Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Assam
- Piyush Tewari – Founder & CEO, SaveLIFE Foundation
- K.C. Sharma – Advisor (Motor Vehicle Legislation), Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
- Prof. Guatham Melur Sukumar – Professor of Epidemiology and Head, WHO Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention nd Safety Promotion at NIMHANS, Bengaluru
The composition reflects a multidisciplinary approach towards addressing India’s road safety challenges.
Role of the National Road Safety Board
The National Road Safety Board has been created to provide expert recommendations on various aspects of road safety, including:
- Road engineering and infrastructure safety
- Traffic management
- Vehicle safety standards
- Road safety audits
- Driver training and licensing
- Enforcement strategies
- Emergency medical response
- Public awareness and behavioural change
- Scientific research and data-driven policymaking
The Board is expected to play an important advisory role in reducing road accidents and fatalities across the country.
Who is Dr Nitin R. Gokarn?
Dr Nitin Ramesh Gokarn is a distinguished retired IAS officer of the 1990 batch (Uttar Pradesh cadre) with nearly 36 years of public service.
Born on September 11, 1964, in Hubli and brought up in Mumbai, Dr Gokarn has an exceptional academic and administrative background.
Before joining the IAS, he served in the Indian Police Service (IPS) from 1987 to 1990, making him one of the few officers to have served in both premier All India Services.
Educational Qualifications
Dr Gokarn has pursued higher education from some of India’s leading institutions.
His academic credentials include:
- Education at Ruparel College, Mumbai
- Higher studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
- Management education from IIM Bangalore
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
His diverse academic background combines administration, public policy, finance and management.
Distinguished Administrative Career
Throughout his IAS career, Dr Gokarn held several significant assignments.
Some of his major positions include:
- District Magistrate, Varanasi
- Secretary, Coffee Board of India
- Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Uttar Pradesh
- Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Planning
- Additional Chief Secretary, State Taxes
He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of two prominent universities in Uttar Pradesh, reflecting his experience beyond conventional administrative roles.
Post-Retirement Roles
After retiring in late 2024, Dr Gokarn has remained actively engaged in public policy and governance.
His current engagements include:
- Independent Director on corporate boards
- Member of the NHAI dispute resolution mechanism
- Writer on governance, institutional leadership and heritage
His appointment as Chairman of the National Road Safety Board marks another significant responsibility in his post-retirement public service.
Strengthening India’s Road Safety Framework
The constitution of the National Road Safety Board reflects the Government’s continued emphasis on improving road safety through scientific planning, inter-agency coordination and evidence-based policymaking.
By bringing together senior administrators, police leadership, transport authorities, highway agencies, public health experts and civil society representatives, the Board is expected to provide strategic guidance aimed at reducing road accidents, strengthening enforcement and improving overall road safety standards across India.
