By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 22, 2026
Agartala, Sept 22 (FD) Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the police and administration are working jointly to reduce road accidents and fatalities in Tripura, stressing that greater public awareness, responsible road use and coordinated action are essential for improving road safety across the state.
The Minister made the statement while inaugurating the West Tripura district-level ‘Road Safety Awareness and Sensitisation’ programme at the conference hall of Sonar Tori Guest House. The programme was organised jointly by the West Tripura District Administration and the Transport Department.
Speaking at the programme, Chowdhury said road safety is not only a matter of enforcing traffic laws but also of developing awareness, responsibility and sensitivity among all sections of society. He said every life on the road is valuable and urged motorists to follow traffic rules, maintain prescribed speed limits, wear helmets and seatbelts, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and behave responsibly towards pedestrians.
The Minister also highlighted government initiatives aimed at supporting road accident victims. He said the government has introduced three important schemes—PM Rahat, the Hit-and-Run Compensation Scheme and Rah-Veer—but many people, particularly in rural areas, remain unaware of the benefits available under these programmes.
Explaining PM Rahat, the Minister said the Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Victims Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment scheme provides eligible road accident victims with cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh at designated hospitals. The scheme was launched in May 2025.
On the Hit-and-Run Compensation Scheme, Chowdhury said the family of a person killed in a road accident can receive financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh, while an injured person can receive ₹50,000. He said the scheme was introduced nationally on February 25, 2022, under Section 164(B) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and implemented in Tripura from April 4, 2022.
The Minister also spoke about the Rah-Veer scheme, which encourages citizens to assist accident victims and ensure their prompt transportation to hospitals. Under the scheme, eligible Good Samaritans receive ₹25,000 and a Rah-Veer certificate, along with legal protection. The scheme was launched in Tripura on March 31, 2026.
Chowdhury urged citizens to make use of these facilities and said the Transport, Police and Health departments, along with other administrative authorities, are working together to reduce road accidents and fatalities.
West Tripura Zilla Parishad acting Sabhadhipati Biswajit Shil said road accidents can devastate entire families and stressed that awareness is one of the most effective tools for preventing accidents.
MLA Meena Rani Sarkar, IGP (Law & Order) Manchak Ipper, Transport Department Secretary U.K. Chakma, West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Dr Vishal Kumar, Transport Commissioner Subrata Chowdhury, IPS, and SP Traffic Kanta Jangir were among those present.
Officials, Panchayat Samiti representatives, Zilla Parishad members and other stakeholders participated in the technical sessions focusing on road safety measures and the implementation and benefits of the three schemes. FD SB