BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 27th February 2026: Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury today announced the launch of the PM-RAHAT scheme, a nationwide initiative under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) designed to provide immediate medical assistance to road accident victims.
While briefing media personnel at Secretariat here this evening, Chowdhury emphasized that the program seeks to prevent fatalities caused by delays in treatment. “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,” he said.
Under the scheme, accident victims will receive up to ₹1.5 lakh in financial aid for hospitalization, with costs fully covered by the government. Treatment will be extended for seven days from the time of admission. A network of 141 hospitals, including PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals, and private facilities, has been empanelled to deliver these services.
For insured vehicles, expenses will be borne by insurance companies. In cases involving uninsured vehicles or hit-and-run incidents, the District Magistrate will oversee costs and forward claims to the Government of India. To streamline fund transfers, RBI accounts have been opened across eight districts.
The minister also highlighted recent progress in road safety, noting a 13 percent decline in accidents last year, attributed to awareness drives and stricter enforcement. Training programs for doctors, police, and other stakeholders are underway to strengthen emergency response.
Nine individuals were honored with the Rahavir Awards, while a DSP from Tripura received national recognition for contributions to road safety.
Chowdhury stressed that medical treatment under PM-RAHAT must begin immediately, without waiting for police reports, ensuring 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.
