Stellantis India, in partnership with Muskaan Foundation for Road Safety, has launched the ‘Safe Journey’ road safety programme in Hyderabad, marking a significant step towards fostering safer road behaviour among young people and local communities.
The initiative comes against a concerning national backdrop, with India recording over 160,000 road fatalities annually. In Telangana alone, road deaths stood at 7,660 in 2023 and 7,281 in 2024, with young adults forming a significant proportion of victims. The ‘Safe Journey’ campaign aims to address this challenge by driving a long-term cultural shift towards responsible road usage through education and community engagement.
The programme has been rolled out across six government degree colleges in Hyderabad—Nayapul, Begumpet, Nampally, Vidyanagar, Khairatabad, and Golconda. Through a combination of road safety orientation sessions, structured training modules, and emergency response workshops, the initiative is expected to directly engage over 1,200 students and faculty members. In addition, peer-led outreach activities are projected to reach more than 10,000 individuals within surrounding communities.
A key pillar of the programme is its institutional framework. Stellantis India and Muskaan Foundation have formalised a memorandum of understanding with the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education, Government of Telangana, under which Road Safety Clubs have been institutionalised in each participating college. These clubs are designed to ensure continuity of the initiative by enabling students to lead awareness drives and take ownership of long-term road safety activities on campus and beyond. The programme is further supported by Hyderabad-based NGOs SOURCESS and TOPDriver.
Speaking on the initiative, Shailesh Hazela, CEO and Managing Director, Stellantis India, said, “At Stellantis, we believe safety and education are the cornerstones of responsible mobility. Through ‘Safe Journey’, we are empowering young people with the knowledge and confidence to practice safer road behavior and influence their communities. This programme, delivered in partnership with government institutions and local expert, reflects our long-term commitment to building a culture of safe and sustainable mobility across India.”
Neha Khullar, Director – Projects, Muskaan Foundation for Road Safety, added, “This campaign is translating knowledge into leadership. By enabling students through structured training and Road Safety clubs, we are enabling them to become role models within their campus and communities. The Hyderabad rollout demonstrates how education-led collaboration can drive meaningful change on our roads.”
To ensure measurable impact, the programme incorporates baseline and endline assessments to evaluate learning outcomes, along with structured documentation of Road Safety Club activities to support sustained engagement. A dedicated survey mechanism will also connect all six Road Safety Clubs, enabling them to share ideas, resources, and best practices, and creating a continuous support system for long-term progress.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Road Accidents in India 2023 report, Hyderabad ranked seventh among India’s million-plus cities for road fatalities, with nearly 19 per cent of road deaths in Telangana occurring in the 18–25 age group. Against this context, the ‘Safe Journey’ initiative underscores Stellantis India’s commitment to community well-being, extending beyond automotive manufacturing to champion safer, more responsible mobility across high-risk urban centres in the country.
