The Government of India is introducing a new scheme that will provide cashless treatment to road accident victims across the country.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari shared the details of this scheme.
According to Gadkari, if the police are informed within 24 hours of an accident, the victim will receive free treatment for up to seven days under this scheme.
Free Treatment and Rewards for Helpers
Starting in March, this scheme will be implemented nationwide. If someone is involved in a road accident, they will receive cashless treatment for seven days, with the government covering expenses up to ₹1.5 lakh.
Additionally, people who help injured victims and save lives will be rewarded with ₹5,000, with the possibility of increasing this amount.
High Number of Road Accident Deaths
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, after meeting with state transport ministers, highlighted road safety as a top priority. In 2024, 1.8 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents.
Of these, 30,000 deaths were due to not wearing helmets. Alarmingly, 66% of those killed in accidents were aged between 18 and 34 years.
Additionally, 10,000 children lost their lives due to unsafe entry and exit points in schools and colleges.
Plans to Improve Road Safety
Gadkari also pointed out the shortage of 22 lakh drivers in the country. To address this, the government plans to set up Driver Training Institutes (DTIs) across the nation.
New regulations to improve e-rickshaw safety are also being considered. Other safety measures discussed include the Smart Driver Assessment System (ADAS) for trucks, retro-reflective tape on vehicles,
and Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD) to enhance the safety of women and children.
Scheme Implementation in March
The National Health Authority (NHA) will oversee the implementation of this program in collaboration with the police, hospitals, and state health agencies.
The program will operate through an IT platform that connects the e-Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) application with the transaction management system of NHA.
The initiative began as a pilot project in Chandigarh on March 14, 2024, and will be expanded to other states. The main goal is to provide immediate medical care after road accidents.
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