New Delhi: The Centre is working on an ambitious plan to ensure that specialised ambulances reach road accident sites within 10 minutes, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, underscoring the government’s renewed push to improve emergency response and save lives.

Informing the House, Gadkari said the government is developing a model involving a centralised emergency helpline integrated with upgraded ambulance services. Under agreements with state governments, modern ambulances will be deployed to cut response times, with a target of reaching accident spots in as little as 10 minutes in key areas.

He noted that these specialised ambulances will be equipped with advanced rescue tools, particularly for incidents where vehicles fall into gorges, a scenario in which paramedical staff often remain helpless due to the absence of proper equipment. The Centre will sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for deploying such ambulances and will reimburse the expenses, provided the ambulance reaches the accident site within the stipulated 10-minute window.

Insurance relief for accident victims

In a major relief for road accident victims, Gadkari said the Centre has expanded a cashless treatment scheme providing medical care of up to Rs 1.5 lakh per person per accident for the first seven days of hospitalisation.

Replying to a question in the Upper House, he said the government will facilitate payments to hospitals to ensure that victims receive immediate treatment without facing financial hurdles. The scheme, earlier piloted in select regions, has now been rolled out nationwide with the cooperation of state governments.

Highlighting measures to encourage public participation, Gadkari said that under the ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme, launched earlier in 2025, good Samaritans who take accident victims to hospitals will be honoured with the title “Rahaveer” and given a cash reward of Rs 25,000, increased from the earlier Rs 5,000. The initiative aims to promote bystander assistance during the critical “golden hour” after an accident.

50,000 lives can be saved annually: IMA study

Citing a study by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the minister said timely medical intervention could prevent nearly 50,000 road accident deaths each year in India. To tackle delays in emergency care—a key factor in many fatalities—the government is strengthening existing schemes aimed at ensuring immediate treatment.

Describing road safety as a “very serious issue”, Gadkari reaffirmed India’s commitment to the global target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030, in line with the Stockholm Declaration. He added that complementary steps include stricter vehicle safety norms such as star ratings, enhanced enforcement, and greater accountability for contractors responsible for road quality.