Centre Notifies Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025

1. Lunched by: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
2. The scheme was launched under powers granted by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
3. Eligibility: Any person injured in a road accident involving a motor vehicle on any road.
4. Coverage: Victims can get cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakhs at designated hospitals for up to 7 days from the date of the accident.
5. Nodal Agency: Implementation is managed by the State Road Safety Council.
6. Designated Hospitals: States must onboard all capable hospitals, including those empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, for trauma and poly-trauma care.
7. Payments to Hospitals: Hospitals can raise claims which are verified by the State Health Agency, with payments made from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund within 10 days.
8. Scheme Monitoring: Monitored by a committee chaired by the Secretary of MoRTH.

Why Road Safety Measures Are Crucial in India

1. In 2022, India recorded ~4.6 lakh road accidents leading to ~1.68 lakh deaths.
2. India has the highest number of road accidents globally.
3. The scheme supports India's commitment to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, aiming to halve traffic deaths by 2030.

Other Steps Taken by India to Improve Road Safety

1. Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 enforces strict penalties and uses technology for better traffic law enforcement.
2. Road Safety Audits are mandatory at design, construction, and maintenance stages of all National Highway projects.
3. The electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) Project aims to create a centralised road accident data repository.

A special Award Scheme for Good Samaritans recognises those who help road accident victims within the Golden Hour (first 60 minutes after injury).