Centre rolls out ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme to honour roadside heroes

Way2barak, July 17 : In a bid to encourage citizens to step forward and save lives of road accident victims, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has unveiled an upgraded scheme titled ‘Rah-Veer’, offering cash awards and certificates to Good Samaritans who help accident victims reach medical care within the crucial Golden Hour. The scheme, which takes effect from April 21, 2025, seeks to strengthen India’s road safety response by acknowledging the courage and compassion of ordinary citizens. Road accidents remain a major cause of death and injury in the country, and officials say timely intervention can make the difference between life and death.

Under the new guidelines, individuals who assist victims in serious motor vehicle accidents by providing immediate help and ensuring hospitalisation within the Golden Hour will be recognised as Rah-Veers. They will receive a cash award of ₹5,000 per incident, with a maximum of ₹25,000 if multiple victims are helped in the same accident. In addition, each awardee will get a formal Certificate of Appreciation. The most outstanding among them 10 individuals selected from across the nation each year will be conferred a national-level award of ₹1 lakh each for their exemplary bravery and service.

Officials clarified that legal protection for Good Samaritans, provided under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 and 2020 rules, remains intact. Those helping accident victims cannot be subjected to harassment or legal proceedings without their consent, and grievance committees at the district level will address any violations.

Verification of claims and approvals will be handled at the district level by a committee led by the District Magistrate, and the awards will be disbursed directly into the recipients’ bank accounts within a week of approval. A state-level committee will monitor implementation through quarterly reviews.