In a significant move to improve road safety and provide immediate medical assistance to accident victims, Gujarat is set to launch a cashless treatment scheme. This initiative will allow accident victims to receive medical treatment worth up to ₹1,50,000 without any cost. The scheme aims to save lives by ensuring that victims get timely medical help, especially in critical conditions.
The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by Gujarat’s Minister of Transportation, Harsh Sanghvi, in Gandhinagar. During this meeting, the Gujarat Road Safety Authority presented its Vision 2030 action plan, aimed at reducing road accident fatalities by 50% over the next five years. This plan includes collaboration between various departments, including police, health, and education, to enhance road safety in the state.
Minister Sanghvi highlighted that thanks to the efforts of the Gujarat Road Safety Authority, there have been no accidents at 82 identified black spots in the past year. He emphasized the need for collective responsibility in reducing accidents, indicating that it is not just the duty of one individual or department but requires everyone’s cooperation.
To support this initiative, the state government will empanel various hospitals, ensuring that treatment costs for accident victims are directly deposited into the hospitals’ accounts. The cashless scheme is designed to be implemented swiftly, with a team of officials set to visit pilot states to study the best practices.
Additionally, the government will introduce the ‘Rahiveer Scheme’ that will reward individuals who transport accident victims to hospitals in a golden hour with ₹25,000. This is part of the broader effort to encourage prompt medical assistance in emergencies.
Minister Sanghvi also addressed the importance of promoting helmet usage among two-wheeler riders, as many fatalities have resulted from riders not wearing helmets. He announced plans for a state-wide awareness campaign to educate citizens on the importance of safety gear.
In light of recent data, the minister noted that 1,80,000 individuals died in road accidents in 2024 alone, with a significant number of these fatalities linked to the lack of helmets. He urged for technology to be effectively used to address and minimize the risks associated with road travel.
The new cashless treatment scheme will be operational soon, following the central government’s directives. This aligns with a national effort to ensure that accident victims receive immediate and free medical care, as announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Under this scheme, victims can access cashless treatment for seven days post-accident in any empanelled hospital.
Furthermore, the government has identified 56 new black spots where accidents frequently occur. Necessary corrective measures will be taken at these sites by Diwali. The minister stressed the need for immediate action to ensure all road safety measures are implemented across the state.
Awareness and strict enforcement against reckless driving will also be intensified, with the minister noting the importance of holding accountable those who violate road safety regulations.
At the meeting, various road safety awards were presented to recognize outstanding contributions in raising awareness about road safety. The Girsomnath district was awarded first place in the city-district road safety committee category, followed by Kheda and Mahisagar districts.
The meeting concluded with the launch of a book on black spot management and a road safety directory. This event marks a significant step toward enhancing road safety and ensuring that victims of road accidents receive the help they need, when they need it most.