Sasaram, Dec. 22 (PTI): Road accidents have come down by 19 per cent and deaths due to it by 31 per cent in seven months since prohibition came into force in Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar said today.

He also hailed the Supreme Court order prohibiting liquor sale within 500 metres of national and state highways, and said the judgment had silenced critics of prohibition in the state.

"Road accidents have come down by 19 per cent from April 1 to November 30 in Bihar after the ban on liquor. Deaths in road accidents have declined by 31 per cent during the period," Nitish said, addressing a chetna sabha here in Rohtas district during the fifth leg of his Nishchay yatra.

"The Supreme Court order banning liquor sale within 500 metres of national and state highways has given a suitable reply to those who used to make fun of my government's decision on prohibition," he said.

Prohibition, the chief minister claimed, has allowed people to spend on items like milk, sweets, clothes and furniture which, he said, is evident in the "hike" in their sale.

Accompanied by ministerial colleagues Chandrika Rai and Jai Kumar Singh among others, Nitish spoke about programmes launched by his government within an year of assuming office for fulfilment of the "seven resolves".

Building toilets, providing electricity connection, drinking water and sewage connection to every household in the state aims at fulfilment of the "seven resolves", he said.