Nitin Gadkari Unveils Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Survivors, Promises to Save THESE Many Lives in a Year

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched a groundbreaking initiative to combat the rising number of road fatalities in India. Under this new scheme, road accident victims will be eligible for cashless medical treatment for up to ₹1.5 lakh during the first seven days following the accident. The scheme, currently in its pilot phase in states like Assam, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, and Haryana, is set to roll out nationwide by March 2025.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari says, "We have started a new scheme - Cashless Treatment. Immediately after an accident occurs, within 24 hours, when the information goes to the Police, we will provide expenses for 7-day treatment of the patient who gets admitted or a… pic.twitter.com/T3PzEaSmXr

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2025

So far, 6,840 people have benefited from the scheme. “We hope to save 50,000 lives annually by ensuring immediate treatment during the golden hour,” said Gadkari. The scheme also includes a provision to offer ₹2 lakh compensation for fatalities in hit-and-run cases.

New Tech-Based Safety Measures for Heavy Vehicles

In addition to the cashless scheme, Gadkari announced the mandatory introduction of three advanced safety systems in buses and trucks to reduce road accidents. These include:

Audio Warning System: Alerts drivers if they show signs of drowsiness.

Electronic Stability Control: Activates when vehicles lose steering control.

Automatic Emergency Braking System: Applies brakes automatically in case of imminent collisions.

These measures are expected to drastically improve road safety, especially for heavy vehicles, which were responsible for 33,000 fatalities in 2022.

Aiming for Safer Roads and Sustainable Practices

Gadkari also highlighted plans to limit commercial drivers’ working hours using Aadhaar-based systems. Furthermore, the government will increase rewards for good samaritans who assist accident victims and establish safety standards for E-rickshaws to ensure their operators' financial security.

The government is also working on introducing a carbon credit-like system under its vehicle scrappage policy to promote a circular economy, ensuring environmental sustainability.

With these initiatives, Gadkari reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents and enhancing safety across India.