Kerala govt announces five days of free treatment for road accident victims

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Thursday presented the 2026-27 State Budget, announcing five days of free medical treatment for road accident victims, as the Centre prepares to roll out a nationwide cashless care programme aimed at cutting fatalities and easing the financial burden on families.

The free treatment will be provided at government hospitals and selected private hospitals. However, specific details of the state government’s announcement, including implementation mechanisms, are yet to emerge.

The announcement comes close on the heels of fresh details shared by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on a proposed national scheme expected to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Nationwide scheme to cover accidents beyond national highways

Recently, Mr Gadkari said the Prime Minister is set to launch a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, offering medical coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh. The programme also includes a cash reward for Good Samaritans who ensure victims are taken to hospitals in time.

Unlike earlier initiatives limited to national highways, the proposed scheme will cover road accidents anywhere in the country. Citing an AIIMS study, Mr Gadkari said timely medical intervention could reduce fatalities by 30%. He highlighted the importance of the first hour after a serious accident, commonly known as the Golden Hour, as critical to saving lives.

Under the scheme, medical expenses will be met through third-party insurance purchased along with vehicles. In cases involving uninsured vehicles, treatment costs will be borne by the government through the Road Safety Fund.

Individuals who bring accident victims to hospitals, referred to as rahavir, will receive ₹25,000. The reward can be claimed by only one person per victim.

Existing 2025 scheme and pilot projects show positive results

The proposed rollout builds on the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, which has already been notified across India. That scheme provides cashless treatment for up to seven days at designated hospitals and uses IT-enabled systems for registration, verification and claim processing.

It aims to ensure timely, paperless and equitable treatment for all road accident victims, with funding drawn from insurance company contributions and central budget support for uninsured cases.

Pilot projects in Assam, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Puducherry have reported positive outcomes. The government is also planning amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act to strengthen road safety measures, improve citizen services, tighten emission standards and align regulations with global norms.