Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the Rahveer scheme to reward citizens who rescue road-accident victims [1].
The initiative aims to mobilize public participation to ensure victims receive immediate medical attention, potentially reducing the high rate of road-traffic fatalities across India [1].
Speaking at a Rapido event in New Delhi on June 8, 2024, Gadkari said the government intends to encourage bystanders to act during emergencies. Under the new program, individuals who help transport accident victims to hospitals will receive a cash reward of ₹25,000 [1], [2]. These rescuers are referred to as "Rahveers" [3].
Beyond the rewards for rescuers, the scheme addresses the financial burden of emergency care. The government will provide cashless medical treatment cover of up to ₹1.5 lakh for the victims [1], [2]. Gadkari said that if people step in to rush 50,000 individuals to the hospital, their lives can be saved [3].
This effort is part of a broader strategy to improve road safety by addressing the "golden hour" — the critical window after a trauma when prompt medical intervention is most likely to prevent death. Gadkari said that road safety is a shared responsibility, and citizen's participation is critical in reducing fatalities on India's roads [3].
The minister previously said that changing public behavior and enforcing traffic norms remain among the biggest challenges in improving road safety [3]. By incentivizing the public, the government hopes to overcome the hesitation often seen at accident sites, where bystanders may fear legal complications or financial liabilities when assisting strangers.
“The Rahveer Scheme will provide a cash reward of Rs 25,000 to rescuers”
The Rahveer scheme represents a behavioral intervention designed to combat 'bystander apathy' in emergency situations. By combining a financial incentive for the rescuer with a guaranteed medical cover for the victim, the Indian government is attempting to remove the two primary barriers to immediate aid: the fear of personal cost and the fear of legal or financial entanglement in the victim's medical bills.
