In a significant push to curb road accidents and enhance emergency response, the Uttar Pradesh government has ramped up activities under two key initiatives: the Central Government's Road Safety Mitra programme and the state-promoted Rahveer scheme. This drive follows direct directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, mandating increased implementation across all districts.
Road Safety Mitra: Training Youth Volunteers Statewide
The primary goal of these schemes is twofold: to instil road safety awareness among the younger population and to guarantee swift aid and medical attention for victims of road mishaps. The Road Safety Mitra programme, a Central Government initiative, is currently operational in 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
So far, a total of 423 volunteers have registered themselves on the 'My Bharat' portal and are undergoing specialised training. The first training camp was organized by the state public service foundation in Gautam Budh Nagar. To fund this crucial programme, a budget of Rs 14 lakh has been sanctioned, with an allocation of Rs 50,000 designated for each of the 28 participating districts.
The Rahveer Scheme: Incentivising Life-Saving Aid
Parallelly, the Rahveer scheme focuses on the critical 'golden hour' following an accident—the period when immediate medical care is most vital to save lives. Launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this scheme motivates ordinary citizens to become first responders.
Under its provisions, any Rahveer (passenger or bystander) who safely transports an accident victim to a hospital within the golden hour is entitled to a monetary reward of Rs 25,000. The scheme aims to directly reduce fatalities by encouraging prompt community action. In each district, the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) has been appointed as the nodal officer for the Rahveer scheme.
Current Implementation and Future Goals
The proactive implementation of these schemes is already seeing early adopters. To date, five individuals have been selected and recognised as 'Rahveers' in Uttar Pradesh for their life-saving efforts. These commendable citizens hail from the districts of Basti, Kaushambi, Sitapur, Aligarh, and Kasganj.
By combining grassroots volunteer training through Road Safety Mitra with a tangible reward system for immediate aid via the Rahveer scheme, the Uttar Pradesh government is creating a multi-layered safety net. This coordinated approach seeks to foster a more responsible and responsive civic environment to tackle the persistent challenge of road accidents in the state.
