Centre To Launch Nationwide Rs 1.5 Lakh Cashless Treatment Scheme For Road Accident Victims By March: All About It

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that the Central government will launch a nationwide scheme providing cashless treatment for road accident victims by March.

The initiative will cover medical expenses of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for road accident victims for a period of seven days after the accident.

The scheme will cover accidents caused by motor vehicles on all types of roads.

Implementation of the program will be overseen by the National Health Authority (NHA) in coordination with police, hospitals, and State Health Agencies.

The scheme will operate through an integrated IT platform combining the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' e-Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) application with the NHA's Transaction Management System.

Initially launched as a pilot project in Chandigarh on 14 March 2024, the initiative was subsequently extended to six additional states.

The scheme aims to provide timely medical care during the critical golden hour after an accident.

While addressing the press, Gadkari emphasised ongoing efforts to enhance road safety, including developing policies to regulate working hours for commercial drivers, akin to rules for pilots, to combat driver fatigue—a significant cause of fatal crashes.

Gadkari also pointed out a shortage of 22 lakh drivers across the nation.

During a two-day workshop held on 6-7 January 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways discussed key measures to improve road transport.

Key topics discussed included expediting the Vehicle Scrapping Policy, implementing PUCC 2.0 nationwide, timelines for BS-VII norms, and their expected impact on reducing pollution.

Gadkari also announced a plan to establish Driver Training Institutes (DTIs) across India, with incentives for setting up these centres and additional benefits for integrated infrastructure.

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