The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, announced in the Rajya Sabha that road accident victims across India will now receive cashless medical treatment worth up to ₹1.5 lakh for the first seven days of hospitalisation, aiming to remove delays caused by lack of money during emergencies.
He explained that this scheme, which was earlier tested only in select areas, has now been expanded nationwide with the cooperation of state governments.
India Introduces Nationwide ₹1.5 Lakh Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims
Under the new system, the central government will directly pay hospitals so that accident victims and their families are not forced to arrange funds during the most critical phase of treatment.
The main objective of the initiative is to ensure immediate care during the “golden hour,” the crucial period after an accident when timely treatment can significantly improve survival chances.
Each victim will be eligible for cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh per accident for the first seven days, which is expected to particularly benefit those without health insurance.
Gadkari referred to a study by the Indian Medical Association, stating that timely medical care alone could help prevent nearly 50,000 road accident deaths every year in India.
To reduce delays in reaching accident sites, the government is developing a plan to deploy specialised ambulances that can arrive within 10 minutes, especially in areas prone to accidents.
These ambulance services are planned to be linked with a centralised emergency helpline to improve coordination and response times.
Agreements will be signed with states to roll out modern ambulances, and the Centre will reimburse costs if the ambulance reaches the accident location within the prescribed response time.
Specialised Ambulances to Be Equipped for Complex Road Accident Rescues
Gadkari highlighted that the specialised ambulances will carry equipment needed for complex rescue operations, such as accidents involving vehicles falling into deep gorges, where current paramedical teams often lack proper tools.
Emphasising public involvement, he spoke about the ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme launched earlier in 2025 to encourage citizens to help accident victims reach hospitals quickly.
Under this scheme, individuals who assist accident victims will be honoured with the title ‘Rahaveer’ and given a cash reward of ₹25,000, which has been increased from the earlier ₹5,000.
The purpose of the scheme is to reduce hesitation among bystanders during emergencies, as delays caused by fear or reluctance often lead to deaths during the golden hour.
Calling road safety a “very serious issue,” Gadkari reiterated India’s commitment to reducing road accident deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030, in line with the Stockholm Declaration.
He added that the cashless treatment policy is part of a wider road safety strategy that includes stricter vehicle safety standards such as star ratings, stronger enforcement, and holding contractors accountable for poor road quality.
