The state government has taken several significant steps to ensure swift rescue and improved treatment of persons injured in road accidents.
The earlier ‘Good Samaritan’ policy has been given a more modernized and effective form through the launch of the ‘PM RAHAT’ scheme. Under this scheme, a rescuer who saves an accident victim and takes him to hospital will be given a reward of Rs. 25,000 by the Transport Department. At the same time, arrangements have also been made for immediate cashless treatment facilities for injured persons.
Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said this today while inaugurating a workshop on the Motor Vehicles Act and related provisions at Pragna Bhavan.
To further strengthen road safety measures and effectively implement the Motor Vehicles Act, this workshop titled “The Motor Vehicles Act and Associated Rules” was organized at Pragna Bhavan, Agartala, as a joint initiative involving the Transport department, SIPARD and AD Nagar School of Logistics Communication and Waterways.
Officials of various from the Transport Department and Home department participated in the workshop. Also present at the event were State Police IGP Manchak Ippar, Transport Department Additional Secretary Subrata Chowdhury, Joint Secretary Maitri Debnath, and other officials. Representatives from various states also took part in the discussions. The workshop featured detailed discussions on the Motor Vehicles Act, road safety, the e-challan system, traffic management, effective methods of law enforcement, and related rules and regulations.
Speaking at the workshop, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that under the PM RAHAT scheme, a rescuer will not have to face any kind of interrogation by police or legal complications.
He said that although the number of registered vehicles in the state has increased from 4 lakh to 8 lakh, the rate of road accidents has decreased by about 13 percent compared to earlier records. To ensure rapid response during accident-related emergencies, 16 state-of-the-art life-saving ambulances and modern traffic interceptor vehicles have been deployed on various important and accident-prone roads across the state.
He further stated that instructions have been issued to organize special awareness camps at the district level in order to extend the benefits of the ‘PM RAHAT’ to remote areas of the state. To this end, comprehensive public awareness programs will be undertaken ensuring the active participation of District Magistrates, police administration, and elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions.
Speaking at the workshop, State Police IGP Manchak Ippar stated that around 70,000 driving licenses have been confiscated in the state over the past three years, and several thousand licenses have been temporarily suspended.
He said that in 2023, 2,763 licenses were confiscated. In 2024, this number rose to 33,990, and in the same year around 21,000 licenses were suspended. The following year, 25,000 licenses were confiscated and 12,000 were suspended. So far this year, more than 11,000 licenses have been confiscated and more than 3,000 suspended.
The IGP further said that in cases of serious violations of road safety laws, greater emphasis will be placed in the future not only on confiscating licenses but also on permanently cancelling vehicle registrations and licenses.
Special importance has therefore been given to training officials involved in this work on the necessary legal provisions and procedures. Representatives from various states participated in and spoke at the workshop. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Transport Department Joint Secretary Maitri Debnath.
