Help Accident Victims, Get ₹25,000: Delhi Adopts ‘Rah-Veer’ Scheme

The Delhi government will implement the Centre’s Rah-Veer scheme to motivate citizens to assist seriously injured road accident victims during the critical golden hour, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday.

Under the scheme, any person who provides immediate assistance to a grievously injured road accident victim and ensures their transport to a hospital or trauma centre within the first hour after a crash will be rewarded ₹25,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. Ten of the most outstanding Rah-Veers selected annually will also receive a national award of ₹1 lakh each.

Road safety experts estimate that timely medical care within the golden hour can prevent nearly half of all road accident deaths. At the national level, this could translate into 50,000–60,000 lives saved every year , while in Delhi alone, officials believe hundreds of fatalities could be avoided annually with quicker bystander intervention.

Gupta said people often hesitate to help accident victims due to fear of legal complications or police procedures, and the scheme seeks to remove these apprehensions while fostering a culture of compassion and shared responsibility. The initiative has been framed in accordance with the Good Samaritan Rules notified under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which protect helpers from legal harassment.

The Delhi government will adopt the Rah-Veer scheme following MoRTH guidelines, drawing on successful examples from other states. Public awareness campaigns, hospital and police coordination, and strict digital verification will ensure smooth implementation and prevent misuse. District committees will oversee claims, with rewards directly credited to beneficiaries. The scheme, expected to roll out across all districts within two months, aims to promote timely assistance, reduce road fatalities, and foster a culture of civic responsibility.