Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has launched two innovative initiatives – ‘Road Safety Mitra’ and ‘Raahveer’ – to enhance road safety across the state. These schemes aim to train youth in road safety measures and reward citizens who assist accident victims, promoting a culture of responsibility and timely action on state highways and urban roads.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, road safety has been transformed into a people’s movement, with a focus on reducing fatalities caused by road accidents and ensuring rapid emergency assistance.
‘Road Safety Mitra’: Training Youth Across 28 Districts
The ‘Road Safety Mitra’ program has been effectively implemented in 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The initiative provides training on basic road safety rules and emergency management to young volunteers, empowering them to act as ambassadors for safe driving practices in their communities.
- Budget Allocation: ₹14 lakh in total, with ₹50,000 allocated to each participating district for awareness activities.
- Training Progress: Following the first camp in Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar), 423 youth volunteers have registered on the My Bharat portal. These trained Mitras are expected to promote road safety awareness and assist during emergencies at a local level.
‘Raahveer’ Scheme: Rewarding Life-Saving Actions
The ‘Raahveer’ scheme encourages citizens to provide timely assistance to accident victims during the critical ‘Golden Hour’, which is the first hour after an accident when intervention can save lives.
- Incentive: Citizens helping victims reach hospitals on time receive a cash reward of ₹25,000.
- First Beneficiaries: So far, five citizens from Basti, Kaushambi, Sitapur, Aligarh, and Kasganj districts have been recognized as Raahveers.
- Nodal Officers: To ensure transparency and efficiency, each district’s Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) has been designated as the nodal officer for the scheme.
Key Details of the Schemes
The Road Safety Mitra scheme aims to train youth in road safety awareness and accident management, with a total budget allocation of ₹14 lakh, providing ₹50,000 to each participating district for awareness and training activities. On the other hand, the Raahveer scheme is designed to encourage citizens to assist accident victims during the critical ‘Golden Hour’, offering a cash reward of ₹25,000 to individuals who provide timely help and ensure victims reach the hospital safely.
Prioritising Safety Across Uttar Pradesh’s Vast Road Network
With Uttar Pradesh’s extensive network of highways and expressways, these initiatives are expected to be game-changers in reducing road accidents and fatalities. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister, the State Transport Department plans to conduct more training camps in the coming months, aiming to build a sensitive, aware society where every road user feels safe.
By combining awareness, skill development, and citizen participation, the state government is taking a holistic approach to road safety, ensuring that both accidents and their consequences can be effectively managed.
