Bhubaneswar: With an average of 16 people losing their lives daily in road accidents across Odisha, the state government has accelerated the rollout of the Prime Minister’s Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation & Assured Treatment Scheme (PM RAHAT).
The scheme guarantees free and cashless treatment for road accident victims admitted to a hospital within 24 hours of an incident. Eligible patients will receive medical care for up to seven days, with financial coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh per case. The expenses will be borne entirely by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
A key feature of the initiative is its integration with the 112 emergency response system, enabling immediate rescue and hospital transfer. Police authorities are required to upload accident details on the e-DAR portal within 24 hours, allowing hospitals to process claims digitally through the Transaction Management System.
Importantly, the scheme is not restricted to government-empanelled hospitals. Any hospital equipped with emergency care facilities can be authorised to provide treatment under PM RAHAT.
Oversight mechanisms have been structured from the national level down to district administrations, with District Collectors tasked with monitoring implementation. A dedicated grievance redressal system has also been established.
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who chaired the implementation meeting, emphasised that timely intervention during the “golden hour” following an accident is critical to saving lives. Officials said the scheme’s design is centred on ensuring rapid medical response and removing financial barriers at the point of care.
-OdishaAge
