Agartala, February 27, 2026: Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury announced the launch of the PM RAHAT scheme under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), aimed at saving lives by ensuring immediate medical care for road accident victims.
“Road accidents often lead to fatalities because victims fail to receive proper treatment in time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have recognized this challenge and introduced PM RAHAT so that no life is lost due to lack of medical care,” Chowdhury said in a press conference at Secretariat, Agartala on Friday evening.
Victims of road accidents will be provided financial assistance of up to ₹1.5 lakh for hospitalization, with the entire cost borne by the government. Treatment will continue for seven days from the time of admission to ensure timely medical care. A total of 141 PHCs, CHCs, sub-divisional and district hospitals, along with private facilities, are being empanelled to deliver these services.
If the vehicle involved in the accident is insured, the insurance company will bear the expenses; however, in cases where the vehicle is not insured, the District Magistrate will oversee the costs and forward scrutiny to the Government of India, particularly in hit-and-run incidents. To facilitate smooth fund transfers, RBI accounts have been opened in eight districts.
Nine individuals were honored under the Rahavir Awards, while a DSP received recognition at the national level for contributions to road safety.
Chowdhury highlighted that road accidents declined by 13 percent last year, attributing the improvement to awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement.
Doctors, police officials, and other stakeholders are undergoing training to handle accident cases more effectively. “Mass awareness programs will be intensified in the coming days,” the minister added.
Chowdhury stressed that treatment must begin immediately without waiting for a police report, ensuring that accident victims are not denied care due to procedural delays.
“The scheme has already come into effect, and it will be a turning point in reducing fatalities from road accidents,” he concluded.
