Gujarat Road Safety Bodies to Oversee Hit-and-Run Victim Compensation
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Road Safety Authority (GRSA) and various district road safety committees have been tasked with implementing and evaluating the compensation scheme for victims of hit-and-run cases. This directive comes in response to a parliamentary query, where the Union government clarified the roles of state and district bodies in administering the scheme.
Parliamentary Announcement on Scheme Implementation
In a written reply to a question posed by MP Girdhari Yadav in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, outlined the framework for the Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022. He stated that state road safety councils and district committees are empowered to assess the scheme's execution and take corrective actions as needed. Similarly, the State Road Safety Council may initiate steps to ensure effective implementation within the state or Union territory.
To further streamline and strengthen the scheme, the ministry issued a notification on March 2, 2026. Under this scheme, a fixed compensation of Rs 2 lakh is provided in cases of death, and Rs 50,000 for grievous injuries resulting from hit-and-run road accidents.
Hit-and-Run Case Statistics Across India
In response to another parliamentary question, Minister Gadkari provided detailed statistics on hit-and-run cases from 2020 to 2024 across all states and Union territories. The data reveals a concerning trend:
- In 2020, 53,623 hit-and-run incidents were reported nationwide.
- This number increased to 57,415 in 2021.
- By 2022, it rose sharply to 67,387 cases.
- In 2023, reports reached 68,783 incidents.
- In 2024, the figure stood at 68,584, indicating a persistent issue.
Among the states, Gujarat ranked 11th in the number of hit-and-run cases during this period. It trailed behind Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the widespread nature of this road safety challenge across India.
The implementation of the compensation scheme by Gujarat authorities aims to address victim support amidst these alarming statistics, ensuring timely aid and justice for those affected by such tragic incidents on the roads.
