Union Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed a new initiative to provide cashless treatment for road accident victims by March 2025. The scheme will offer up to Rs 1.5 lakh in medical expenses for up to seven days after an accident. It will cover accidents involving motor vehicles on all types of roads.
How the Scheme Will Work
The National Health Authority (NHA) will oversee the program. It will collaborate with police, hospitals, and state health agencies. The program will run through an IT platform, connecting the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ e-Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) app with the NHA’s Transaction Management System.
Pilot Launch and Expansion
The initiative started as a pilot project in Chandigarh on March 14, 2024. It then expanded to six more states. The goal is to provide timely medical care during the crucial “golden hour” after an accident.
Focus on Road Safety and Driver Fatigue
Gadkari also addressed the need to tackle road safety issues. He mentioned plans to regulate working hours for commercial drivers. This policy will mirror pilot regulations to address driver fatigue, a leading cause of fatal accidents.
Additionally, he noted the country faces a shortage of 22 lakh drivers.
Key Topics at the Road Transport Workshop
A two-day workshop held from January 6–7, 2025, focused on improving road transport. Key discussions included speeding up the Vehicle Scrapping Policy and nationwide implementation of PUCC 2.0. They also reviewed timelines for BS-VII norms aimed at reducing pollution.
Plans for Driver Training and Vehicle Safety
Gadkari announced plans to establish Driver Training Institutes (DTIs) across India. These institutes will receive incentives, along with additional benefits for integrated infrastructure. He also stressed the need for new safety regulations for E-Rickshaws.
The workshop also highlighted several other safety measures. These include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for trucks, stricter enforcement of retro-reflective tape on vehicles, and introducing vehicle location tracking devices (VLTD) to ensure safety for women and children.
Looking Ahead
By March 2025, the government aims to integrate all faceless services across India. This move will further enhance road safety and streamline transport systems nationwide.
