Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a ground breaking scheme to provide cashless treatment for road accident victims. The government will cover medical expenses up to Rs 1.5 lakh, while families of hit and run victims will receive Rs. 2 lakh compensation.

Cashless Treatment for Accident Victims

Under this new initiative a road accident victims can avail of cashless treatment for up to seven days. Victims or their families must have to report the accident details to the police within 24 hours to benefit from the scheme. The government will bear all medical expenses up to Rs 1.5 lakh to ensuring timely care without financial burden.

Support for Hit and Run Cases

For the families of hit and run victims the government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh per deceased. This is part of a broader effort to provide relief to those affected by road accidents.

Pilot Program and Nationwide Rollout

This scheme has been tested in Assam, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Puducherry. Based on its success the government plans to introduce amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act in the upcoming Parliament session. The nationwide implementation is expected to begin in upcoming March 2025.

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Collaboration and Technology Integration

This program will involve collaboration between the National Health Authority (NHA), police, hospitals and state health agencies. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highway's accident reporting app will be integrated with NHA’s transaction management system to streamline the process.

Alarming Statistics

Highlighting the urgency of the scheme Gadkari revealed that over 1.8 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents in the 2024 with 32 thousands of death due to not wearing helmets. A staggering 60% of accidents involve individuals aged 18 to 34. Additionally unsafe conditions near schools and colleges accounted for 10 thousand fatalities.