• Source:JND
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People injured in road accidents across India can now receive cashless treatment starting in March. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that the accident victims would receive cashless treatment for up to seven days, with a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh per person. The National Health Authority (NHA) will be responsible for implementing the scheme. 

Gadkari also mentioned that the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill will be presented in the next Parliament session. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in March last year, launched a pilot scheme to provide 'cashless' treatment for road accident victims. This scheme was implemented in six states and now preparations are underway to roll it out nationwide.  

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Gadkari mentioned that road safety was a priority in the 42nd Transport Development Council meeting. The meeting also decided that vehicle manufacturing companies, especially those producing heavy vehicles like buses and trucks, will be required to include three safety technologies as mandatory. These technologies are believed to offer safety systems similar to the 'Kavach' system used in trains. The two-day workshop and council meeting were held in New Delhi.

On Monday, the first day, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Secretary, V Umashankar, held a meeting with transport secretaries and commissioners from 27 states, while on Tuesday, Nitin Gadkari held a meeting with transport ministers.

The Union Minister also explained that to prevent road accidents, heavy vehicles will be mandated to include three technologies. The Electronic Stability Control and Automatic Emergency Braking System can prevent collisions between vehicles, while the Driver Drowsiness Alert System will be an audio system that detects when the driver is drowsy or tired and will alert them to stay vigilant.

Gadkari stated that in 2024, of the 1.80 lakh deaths from road accidents, 35,000 were caused by drivers without a driving license. To ensure drivers are trained, the Ministry launched a Driver Training Policy. Under this, 1,250 new training and fitness centers will be established across the country, with an investment of approximately Rs 4,500 crore. These centers will train about 25 lakh new drivers who will receive licenses and find employment, while around 15 lakh people will find employment at these centers. Additionally, an Automated Testing Center will be set up in every district.

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Referring to the Jaipur accident, Gadkari mentioned that the driver had been driving from 4:30 am to 9:30 pm. He said no driver is allowed to drive for more than eight hours in Europe. India faces a shortage of 2.2 million drivers. The Ministry is considering a suggestion where the engine of a vehicle will only start if the driver's Aadhaar-linked card is swapped, and after eight hours, the engine will only start again if another driver swaps their card.