Tripura launches PM-RAHT scheme with 141 empanelled hospitals, ensuring cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh for seven days for road accident victims. Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury says no victim will face treatment delay due to lack of funds.
The Tripura government has officially rolled out the Prime Minister’s Road Accident Treatment Scheme (PM-RAHT), a major initiative aimed at ensuring immediate and cashless medical care for road accident victims across the state. The announcement was made on Friday by Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury during a press conference at the state secretariat.
Under the PM-RAHT scheme, accident victims will be eligible for cashless medical treatment for up to seven days, with financial assistance capped at Rs 1.5 lakh per patient. The scheme is being implemented under the aegis of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Any medical expenses exceeding the specified financial limit will have to be borne by the patient’s family.
Addressing the media, Chowdhury emphasized that the core objective of the scheme is to ensure that no injured person is denied or delayed treatment due to financial constraints. “The transport, home, and health and family welfare departments will jointly coordinate the effective implementation of the scheme in the state,” he said.
The minister also revealed that a virtual review meeting was recently held under the stewardship of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss the operational framework of the scheme. The meeting focused on ensuring smooth coordination between state and central authorities for timely treatment and reimbursement mechanisms.
According to Chowdhury, a total of 141 hospitals have been empanelled to provide treatment under PM-RAHT. These include 134 government hospitals and seven private healthcare facilities located both within Tripura and outside the state. Hospitals have been directed not to delay admission or the initiation of treatment on administrative or procedural grounds when road accident victims are brought in for emergency care.
In addition to PM-RAHT, the minister highlighted the state’s ongoing “Rah-Veer” initiative, which rewards Good Samaritans who assist accident victims during the crucial “golden hour” following a crash. Under this scheme, individuals who transport accident victims to hospitals within the first hour are provided financial assistance of Rs 25,000. So far, nine individuals in Tripura and one Deputy Superintendent of Police at the national level have been recognized under the initiative for their life-saving efforts.
Chowdhury expressed optimism that the rollout of PM-RAHT would significantly reduce fatalities resulting from road accidents and provide much-needed financial relief to affected families. He reiterated that the government remains committed to strengthening emergency response systems and promoting a culture of timely medical intervention.
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Senior officials, including Transport Secretary U.K. Chakma and representatives from concerned departments, were present during the briefing. The state government believes that the combined impact of PM-RAHT and the Rah-Veer scheme will create a more responsive and compassionate road safety ecosystem, ensuring that every accident victim receives prompt and uninterrupted medical care.
