New Delhi, 23 February 2026
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the Delhi Government will implement the Central Government’s ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme, an initiative designed to encourage citizens to assist seriously injured road accident victims. Under the scheme, individuals who provide immediate help and ensure that critically injured victims receive medical attention within the ‘golden hour’ will be awarded ₹25,000 along with a certificate of appreciation.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the scheme represents a significant step toward strengthening humanitarian responsiveness and improving road safety outcomes in the national capital. She emphasized that the financial incentive aims to motivate ordinary citizens to act swiftly in emergency situations without fear of legal complications or procedural hurdles.
“The primary objective of the Rah-Veer scheme is to ensure that seriously injured road accident victims receive timely medical assistance within the golden hour,” Gupta stated. “Prompt intervention during this critical period can make the difference between life and death. This initiative encourages citizens to step forward and help without hesitation.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that road accident fatalities remain a pressing concern, particularly in densely populated urban centres such as Delhi, where thousands of vehicles operate daily. She noted that many bystanders often hesitate to help accident victims due to apprehensions related to police inquiries, legal entanglements, or court procedures. The Rah-Veer scheme, she said, directly addresses these concerns by combining legal protection with financial recognition.
According to Gupta, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), which introduced the scheme, believes that increased public participation can substantially reduce mortality rates associated with road accidents. By incentivizing compassionate action, the Ministry seeks to cultivate a culture in which citizens view assisting accident victims as both a civic duty and a socially valued act.
“In a metropolis like Delhi, rapid access to medical care for seriously injured individuals is crucial,” Gupta said. “The scheme’s legal safeguards and financial rewards are expected to encourage more people to transport victims to hospitals or trauma centres without delay.”
The Chief Minister confirmed that the Delhi Government’s decision follows detailed implementation guidelines issued by MoRTH to States and Union Territories. The scheme operates in alignment with the Good Samaritan Rules notified under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. These rules provide legal protection to individuals who voluntarily assist injured, distressed, or vulnerable persons at accident sites.
Under the Rah-Veer scheme, any individual who offers immediate assistance to a seriously injured road accident victim and facilitates their transport to a hospital or trauma centre within the golden hour will be eligible for the reward. Each qualifying Rah-Veer will receive ₹25,000. However, if a citizen assists multiple seriously injured victims in the same accident, the maximum reward payable for that incident will remain capped at ₹25,000.
In addition to the standard reward, the scheme provides for national-level recognition. Ten of the most outstanding Rah-Veers selected annually will receive a special national award of ₹1 lakh each. All awards, including the standard cash incentive, will be accompanied by certificates of appreciation acknowledging the recipients’ humanitarian contribution.
Gupta stressed that the scheme’s design ensures transparency, efficiency, and accountability in disbursing rewards. A District Level Evaluation Committee will be established to assess each case. The committee will comprise the District Magistrate, a senior police officer, the Chief Medical Officer, and the Regional Transport Officer. This multi-agency framework is intended to verify claims and prevent misuse while maintaining procedural fairness.
“The evaluation mechanism will ensure that genuine cases are recognized promptly,” Gupta said. “The reward amount will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through an online system. The entire process will be recorded on a digital platform to maintain transparency.”
She further stated that a separate bank account will be maintained exclusively for managing the scheme’s financial transactions. The Central Government will provide an initial grant to facilitate implementation, ensuring that States and Union Territories have adequate resources to operationalize the programme effectively.
The Chief Minister described the Rah-Veer scheme as more than a financial incentive programme, calling it a broader societal intervention aimed at reinforcing compassion and civic responsibility. She argued that fostering a culture of timely assistance could have far-reaching benefits beyond immediate accident response, strengthening public trust and community engagement.
“The scheme seeks not only to save lives but also to promote a culture of empathy and collective responsibility,” Gupta said. “Greater public participation can significantly reduce fatalities resulting from road accidents and help prevent families from experiencing avoidable tragedies.”
Gupta expressed confidence that Delhi’s implementation of the scheme would be carried out with seriousness and integrity. She underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that the initiative contributes meaningfully to both road safety improvements and humanitarian values.
“If implemented with transparency and dedication, the Rah-Veer scheme can play a transformative role in saving lives,” she concluded. “It has the potential to encourage citizens to act decisively in emergencies and strengthen Delhi’s overall road safety framework.”
The Rah-Veer scheme is expected to be rolled out following administrative formalities and the constitution of district-level committees, marking a new phase in citizen-led emergency response efforts in the capital.
