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Published : 12 Oct 2025, 08:10 AM
The Uttar Pradesh government in India has introduced a scheme to reward citizens who help accident victims reach hospital within the “golden hour”.
According to The Economic Times, under the “Good Samaritan” initiative, individuals who assist critically injured road accident victims and ensure they receive prompt medical care will be given a Raah Veer certificate along with a cash award of 25,000 rupees (nearly Tk 36,000).
The directive was issued on Monday by Transport Commissioner Kinjal Singh, the report said.
It is part of a broader effort to curb India’s high rate of road traffic fatalities. The scheme was designed by the Union Ministry of Road Transport but is being implemented by state governments and union territories, it added.
The report cited National Crime Records Bureau 2023 data showing India recorded about 160,000 fatalities in 170,000 road accidents last year.
Uttar Pradesh alone reported 22,532 deaths in 23,771 accidents, accounting for 14 percent of the national total.
Singh said though the scheme was designed by the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, it was being implemented through state governments and Union territories, according to the report.
Quoting the transport commissioner, it said: “This act of assistance qualifies an individual as a good Samaritan -- a Raah-Veer. The survival of the victim depends on several factors beyond the helper's control, but those who act promptly and in good faith, even if the victim does not survive, deserve due recognition.”
The report added that the initiative aims to motivate people to step forward during emergencies and inspire others to save lives.
It also noted that the scheme covers any major road accident involving a motor vehicle that results in severe injury, at least three days of hospitalisation, brain or spinal cord injury, or death during treatment.
Each “Raah-Veer” will receive 25,000 rupees per incident, it said. If one person helps several victims in a single accident, the reward remains the same. If multiple people assist one victim, the money will be split among them.
To ensure transparency, police will verify each rescuer’s details with the hospital and issue an acknowledgement, which will then be sent to a district-level appraisal committee led by the district magistrate, The Economic Times added.
