UP to give Rs 25,000 reward to those who help road accident victims reach hospital within 4 hours

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a new initiative to recognise and reward citizens who help road accident victims reach hospitals within the crucial first hour, commonly called the golden hour. Under the ‘good Samaritan’ scheme, those who assist seriously injured victims and ensure timely medical care will receive a ‘Raah-Veer’ certificate and a cash reward of Rs 25,000, a TOI report stated.

The directive, issued by Transport Commissioner Kinjal Singh on Monday, aims to address the rising number of road accident deaths in the state. According to National Crime Records Bureau data for 2023, India recorded around 1.6 lakh deaths in 1.7 lakh road accidents last year. Uttar Pradesh had the highest toll, with 22,532 fatalities in 23,771 accidents — about 14% of all road deaths nationwide.

How the scheme works

Singh said the scheme was designed by the Ministry of Road and Highways and is implemented through state governments and Union territories. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, defines a ‘good Samaritan’ as a person who “in good faith and without expectation of reward” provides emergency assistance at the scene of an accident or helps transport the victim to a hospital.


"This act of assistance qualifies an individual as a good Samaritan — a Raah-Veer. The survival of the victim depends on several factors beyond the helper's control, but those who act promptly and in good faith, even if the victim does not survive, deserve due recognition," Singh said.

The scheme applies to major road accidents involving a motor vehicle that result in severe injury, at least three days of hospitalisation, brain or spinal injury, or death during treatment. Each Raah-Veer will receive Rs 25,000 per incident. If multiple people assist a single victim, the reward is shared equally.

Verification and award process

Police will verify each Raah-Veer with the hospital and issue an acknowledgment including the rescuer’s name, contact details, and information about the victim. This will be sent to a district-level appraisal committee led by the district magistrate and including police and transport officials.

PK Singh, Regional Transport Officer of Ghaziabad, said the initiative is expected to encourage more people to assist accident victims without fear. "Police and the chief medical officer will verify good Samaritans and issue acknowledgements. Following this, the committee will grant them awards and recognition," he said.