Road Accident Victims to Receive Cashless Treatment up to ₹1.5 Lakh under New Central Scheme

The central government is set to launch a new scheme aimed at providing immediate medical assistance to road accident victims. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that under this scheme, cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh will be available to those injured in road accidents. The initiative is expected to be implemented across the country by March. Gadkari further explained that victims will be eligible for cashless treatment for up to seven days following an accident, with the scheme covering all types of road accidents caused by motor vehicles on various roads.

Highlighting the scheme's primary objective, Gadkari stated that it is designed to ensure medical aid is provided during the critical "Golden Hour" following an accident. The scheme will be executed by the National Health Authority (NHA). Gadkari also mentioned that the implementation will involve cooperation from the police, hospitals, and government medical institutions.

The scheme's operations will be managed through an IT platform that integrates the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the e-Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) application, and the NHA’s Transaction Management System.

Gadkari revealed that a pilot project for the scheme was launched in Chandigarh on March 14, 2024, and has since been expanded to six other states. Additionally, he highlighted a significant shortage of approximately 2.2 million drivers in the country, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced road safety and emergency response measures.