13% Drop in Road Accident Cases, Govt Plans Cashless Treatment Scheme for Accident Victims
In a major development on the state’s road safety front, Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Monday has announced that road accident-related cases in the state have dropped by 13 percent in the last year. The decline has been attributed to the effective surveillance and proactive efforts by the Tripura Police and its traffic wing.
Speaking to the media after chairing a meeting of the State Road Safety Council in Agartala, Minister Chowdhury has lauded the contributions of law enforcement agencies in maintaining better road discipline. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Health Department, Tripura Police- including DGP Anurag and IGP M Ipper, and representatives of various stakeholder departments involved in road safety and accident response mechanisms.
“The police and traffic units have played a very constructive and diligent role in the prevention of road traffic accidents. Their continuous monitoring and enforcement have yielded visible results. We recorded a 13 percent decline in such incidents last year. I am hopeful that with sustained efforts, this number can be reduced even further in the coming days,” Chowdhury stated.
Background: Road Safety in Tripura
Road safety has been a matter of concern in Tripura over the years, particularly due to growing urban traffic, increasing two-wheeler usage, and poor awareness of traffic rules among many drivers. While the state does not rank among the worst in the country in terms of fatal road accidents, there have been consistent efforts to strengthen enforcement, improve public awareness, and enhance medical response mechanisms post-accidents.
The formation of the State Road Safety Council in Tripura, in line with directions from the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has given a structured platform to coordinate inter-departmental efforts for road safety. Monday’s meeting of the Council reviewed not only the decline in accident numbers but also deliberated on forthcoming policy changes and schemes.
Cashless Treatment Scheme for Accident Victims
One of the major highlights of the meeting was Tripura’s preparedness to adopt a centrally sponsored scheme that offers cashless treatment for road accident victims. As per the proposed framework, victims will be eligible for up to Rs 1.5 lakh in cashless medical care at empanelled hospitals, irrespective of their income level or insurance status.
“This scheme is a crucial step in saving lives. Many accident victims suffer or die because of delays in treatment due to financial constraints. The scheme will ensure that no life is lost due to lack of immediate care. However, before rolling it out, we need more clarity on certain operational aspects,” Chowdhury said.
He noted that while the Union Ministry has directed all states to launch the scheme, there are still several logistical and procedural issues that need to be ironed out.
“We are awaiting clarification on a few critical points—such as the conditions under which a person becomes eligible for the cashless benefit, the role of police in certifying cases, and the list of hospitals that would be empanelled. These will be finalized in consultation with the Centre,” he added.
The Transport Minister further informed that Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha will officially inaugurate the scheme once these outstanding issues are resolved.
Inter-Departmental Coordination Key to Success
Officials at the meeting stressed that for the successful implementation of the cashless treatment initiative, seamless coordination among various departments—Transport, Health, Police, and hospital management—is essential. The Health Department is already in the process of identifying suitable hospitals across the state that can offer emergency care under the scheme.
The Tripura Police, on its part, is expected to play a crucial role in incident verification and coordination with medical institutions to ensure that victims receive prompt care.
Looking Ahead
The 13 percent drop in road accidents is a positive sign for a small state like Tripura, which faces infrastructural and manpower challenges. With the proposed launch of the accident victim cashless treatment scheme, the state hopes to enhance its emergency response framework and reduce fatalities further.
Transport Minister Chowdhury added that road safety is not the government’s responsibility alone but a shared commitment involving every citizen. Public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, and modern surveillance tools will continue to be part of Tripura’s evolving road safety strategy.
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