New Delhi, Jan 9 (KNS): In a step towards reducing road fatalities, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday announced that the ongoing pilot scheme providing cashless treatment up to ?1.5 lakh for crash survivors will be expanded across all states by March 2025.

The initiative, currently active in Assam, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, and Haryana, has so far benefitted 6,840 people. Gadkari expressed hope that the nationwide rollout would help save 50,000 lives annually by ensuring timely medical intervention during the golden hour.

Addressing a gathering of transport secretaries and commissioners, the minister also unveiled new safety measures for heavy vehicles. These include an audio warning system to alert drowsy drivers, electronic stability control, and an automatic emergency braking system. Additionally, the ministry is exploring Aadhaar-based tracking to prevent commercial drivers from exceeding an eight-hour work limit.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Highlighting the alarming rise in road fatalities, Gadkari noted that 1.72 lakh people lost their lives in 2023, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year. He emphasized the urgent need for skilled drivers, revealing that India currently lacks 22 lakh trained drivers, affecting 75% of transport businesses. To address this, the government plans to establish 1,250 new driver training centers.

Furthermore, the reward for good samaritans assisting crash victims will be increased from the current ?5,000. The ministry is also working with the civil aviation sector to facilitate air ambulances by developing roadside helipads.

In other developments, the government will soon introduce Bharat Stage 7 (BS7) emission norms and set safety standards for E-rickshaws. Additionally, a carbon credit-like system is being developed under the vehicle scrappage policy to promote a circular economy. (KNS)