Patna: Road accident victims in Bihar will be eligible for cashless medical treatment of up to ₹1.50 lakh for a maximum period of seven days under the PM RAHAT Scheme. The initiative aims to ensure that eligible victims receive immediate and quality medical care, particularly during the critical hours after an accident, without facing financial barriers.
To ensure the effective implementation of the scheme, a day-long state-level workshop was organised at the Old Secretariat in Patna on Wednesday. Police personnel and representatives of hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat participated in the workshop, where they received training on the scheme’s procedures and responsibilities.
Addressing the workshop, Transport Secretary Raj Kumar stressed the need for better coordination among the Transport, Health and Police departments to ensure that eligible road accident victims receive the benefits of the scheme without unnecessary delays.
He directed officials to create awareness about the scheme among the general public and ensure the prompt resolution of issues arising during its implementation. He also urged the concerned departments and hospitals to simplify the registration, verification and treatment procedures.
Raj Kumar said information boards about the PM RAHAT Scheme would be installed at all hospitals, while awareness hoardings would also be put up along highways to inform people about its benefits.
PM RAHAT Scheme: Golden Hour Treatment Can Save Lives
Speaking at the workshop, Health Department Secretary Kumar Ravi said road accidents remain a major challenge for the state. He emphasised that many lives can be saved if accident victims are taken to hospitals within the “Golden Hour”, referring to the first hour after an accident.
He said the PM RAHAT Scheme has been introduced with the objective of ensuring timely medical assistance to accident victims. Hospitals and the Police Department have an important role in making the scheme effective.
Kumar Ravi urged hospitals to ensure 100 per cent registration of road accident victims and remain sensitive to the needs of beneficiaries.
He also stressed the importance of making information about nearby hospitals empanelled under the PM RAHAT Scheme easily accessible, particularly because road accidents frequently occur on roads and highways. He suggested that details of these hospitals should also be made available on Google Maps so that people can locate medical facilities quickly.
Cashless Treatment of Up to ₹1.50 Lakh for Seven Days
State Transport Commissioner Arif Ahsan explained the financial benefits available under the scheme. He said eligible road accident victims are entitled to cashless medical treatment of up to ₹1.50 lakh for a maximum period of seven days.
The scheme aims to ensure that victims receive immediate and necessary medical attention during the critical initial period after an accident, without having to worry about treatment expenses.
Training on Dial-112, TMS 2.0 Portal and Police Verification
The workshop also included detailed discussions on the roles of emergency response services, the TMS 2.0 portal, police verification, the iRAD/eDAR system and the responsibilities of hospitals in implementing the scheme.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Rama Shankar Rai made a presentation on the role and responsibilities of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), including Dial-112.
Rajiv Kumar from the Road Safety Division demonstrated the process of registering road accident victims through the TMS 2.0 portal. Participants were also given detailed information about police verification, the iRAD/eDAR system and the Police Department’s responsibilities throughout the process.
The Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) and Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) systems serve as the digital backbone for accident reporting, police verification and claim settlement under the PM RAHAT Scheme.
The Health Department also made presentations on hospital responsibilities, the provision of cashless treatment and the claims settlement process.
Stakeholders Discuss Practical Challenges in Implementation
The workshop provided a platform for officials and other stakeholders to discuss practical challenges related to the registration, verification and treatment of road accident victims under the scheme.
The discussions focused on simplifying procedures, improving coordination among departments and ensuring that beneficiaries receive timely medical assistance.
Among those present at the workshop were Additional Director General of Police (Communications and Technical Services) Amit Lodha, DIG (Traffic) Sushant Saroj, Transport Department Additional Secretary Praveen Kumar, Patna Traffic SP Sagar Kumar Jha and other senior officials.
