Saving Lives on Highways: Cashless Treatment Plan Announced by Gadkari

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced a significant initiative to provide cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days for road accident survivors. The scheme is expected to be expanded across all states by March 2025. The minister also revealed new tech-based interventions for heavy vehicles to reduce road accidents and improve safety standards. Gadkari highlighted India’s rising road fatalities and proposed solutions to tackle the shortage of skilled drivers, along with updates on emission norms and vehicle safety standards.

Key Announcements By Nitin Gadkari

• Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Survivors
• Pilot initiative providing cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days to accident survivors.
• Currently active in Assam, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, and Haryana.
• 6,840 people have benefitted from the pilot scheme so far.
• The scheme will be expanded to all states by March 2025.
• Aims to save 50,000 lives by ensuring treatment during the golden hour (first hour after an accident).

Introduction of Tech Based Safety Systems

• Audio Warning System: Alerts drivers when they are falling asleep at the wheel.
• Electronic Stability Control System: Automatically detects too much or too little steering control and stabilizes the vehicle.
• Automatic Emergency Braking System: Activates the brakes automatically in emergencies to prevent accidents.

Measures To Address Skilled Drivers

• India faces a shortage of 22 lakh skilled drivers, impacting 75% of transport businesses.
• For every 100 trucks, only 75 drivers are available.
• 30,000 deaths were caused by vehicles driven by unauthorized drivers.
• The ministry will open 1,250 new driving learning centres with capital investment from the central government.

Reward For Good Samaritans

• The reward for good samaritans who help road crash victims will be increased from ₹5,000.

Air Ambulance Facilities

• Gadkari has spoken with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to,
• Set up helipads at roadside amenities along highways.
• Ensure hospitals have provisions for accommodating air ambulances.

Emission Norms and Safety Standards of Vehicles

Bharat Stage 7 (BS7) Emission Norms

• Draft for BS7 norms will be issued by the end of 2025.
• Stakeholder consultations will begin by mid-2025.

Stakeholders for E-Rickshaws

• New standards will ensure safety and longevity of e-rickshaws.

Scrappage Policy and Circular Economy

• The government is working on introducing a carbon credit-like system for vehicles to promote the circular economy.

Road Accident and Fatality Statistics

• 1.72 lakh fatalities were recorded across India in 2023, a 4.2% increase from 2022.
• 33,000 deaths were caused by trucks impacting other vehicles in 2022.
• 30,000 deaths were caused by unauthorized drivers.