Lucknow – In a bold move to strengthen road safety and emergency medical response, the Uttar Pradesh government will roll out the “Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025”, in alignment with the nationwide initiative launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Effective from May 5, 2025, across India, the scheme guarantees cashless medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person per accident for a maximum of seven days, ensuring that victims receive immediate critical care during the crucial “golden hour.”
The scheme, mandated under Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, extends coverage to any individual injured in a motor vehicle accident on any road in the state. Victims will be able to access treatment at empanelled hospitals, including those registered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), without paying upfront charges. Non-designated hospitals will be required to provide stabilization care before transferring patients to authorized facilities.
Uttar Pradesh has long battled high rates of road fatalities, with recent figures placing it among the top contributors to India’s toll of 1.72 lakh deaths in 2023, according to MoRTH data. Experts believe that more than half of such fatalities could have been prevented with timely medical aid, underscoring the urgency of the new scheme.
The Uttar Pradesh State Road Safety Council will act as the nodal body, coordinating with the National Health Authority (NHA) to onboard hospitals, manage treatment protocols, and settle claims through the dedicated Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. Hospitals will process claims via the NHA’s Transaction Management System (TMS), which is integrated with MoRTH’s Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform. This integration is expected to ensure real-time data sharing and claim settlements within 10 days.
For victims to avail of the benefit, accidents must be reported to the police within 24 hours. In cases of hit-and-run, an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh will be provided to the deceased victim’s family, as announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The implementation of the scheme will be overseen by a 17-member steering committee, headed by the Road Secretary and comprising officials from the NHA, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Health. The state government is also integrating the 112 emergency helpline with ambulance services to enable faster reporting and immediate evacuation of victims.
Public reaction to the announcement has been largely positive. “This scheme is a lifeline for drivers and passengers, especially on UP’s high-traffic highways,” said Rajesh Kumar, a truck driver from Kanpur. However, concerns remain over the ₹1.5 lakh treatment cap, with healthcare advocates warning that complex cases may exceed the limit. Commuters and transport unions have also emphasized the need for efficient coordination to prevent delays caused by paperwork or police verification.
The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to onboard nearly 30,000 designated hospitals across the state, significantly expanding access to the scheme. Officials believe this initiative will not only save lives but also reinforce India’s broader goal of reducing road accident fatalities by 50% by 2030, as part of the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety.
For further details and to locate empanelled hospitals, residents are advised to visit the National Health Authority’s official portal or contact the State Road Safety Council directly.
