New Delhi, January 8, 2025: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has introduced a cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, covering medical expenses up to Rs. 1.5 lakh for the first seven days. However, the treatment will only be available if the police are informed within 24 hours of the accident. Additionally, families of those who die in hit-and-run cases will receive an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh.
Gadkari highlighted that road safety is a priority, with nearly 1.8 lakh deaths from road accidents in 2024. He also pointed out that 30,000 of these deaths were due to a lack of helmets. Notably, 66% of the victims were young people aged 18 to 34, and nearly 10,000 children were involved in accidents near educational institutions. New regulations have been introduced to better supervise auto-rickshaws and mini-buses near schools.
