New Delhi, January 15:
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that individuals who assist those injured in road accidents will now receive a reward of Rs 25,000, a significant increase from the previous reward of Rs 5,000.
Speaking at a road safety event in Nagpur alongside actor Anupam Kher, Gadkari explained that the current reward was inadequate for those who help accident victims during the critical first hour by rushing them to the hospital.
The minister also revealed that the government would cover up to Rs 1.5 lakh in hospital expenses for accident victims during the first seven days after an incident. “This initiative extends beyond those injured on national highways; it also includes people hurt on state highways,” he clarified.
The “Good Samaritan” scheme, introduced in October 2021, rewards individuals who provide immediate help to victims of fatal accidents by ensuring they are transported to the hospital within the Golden Hour (the first hour after the accident) for medical care.
A good Samaritan is defined by the government as a person who, acting in good faith, without any expectation of payment or reward, and without a duty of care or special relationship, voluntarily provides emergency assistance or care to an accident or crash victim, or someone facing an emergency medical condition or situation.
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