Citizens who help road accident victims receive medical assistance during the crucial “golden hour” will now be rewarded with ₹25,000 under the Government of India’s Rahveer Yojana. Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, shared this information while presiding over a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee held in Shimla.

The scheme aims to encourage immediate support to accident victims by recognizing those who ensure timely hospitalization, especially within the first hour after an accident—a window that is often critical in saving lives.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the police department to identify individuals who have recently assisted accident victims, so they can be formally acknowledged and rewarded. He also requested all committee members to share such instances with the district administration to spread awareness about the scheme and inspire more people to act swiftly in emergencies.

District-level road safety workshop on July 28

In the same meeting, it was announced that a district-level road safety workshop will be organized on July 28, 2025, at Bachat Bhawan in Shimla. Stakeholders from various departments will participate in the event. Following this, similar workshops will also be conducted at the sub-divisional level across the district.

Addressing concerns regarding road safety, the Deputy Commissioner directed for the immediate removal of roadside encroachments to prevent potential accidents. He also instructed the Municipal Corporation to identify accident-prone areas in Shimla and ensure that necessary traffic signage and safety measures are implemented there. Additionally, a list of dried or hazardous trees along roadsides is to be compiled for timely action.

Focus on public safety and awareness

Regional Transport Officer Anil Sharma briefed the committee on the ongoing initiatives by the transport department. These include regular eye check-up camps, blood donation drives, and inspections to curb overloading in commercial vehicles. Awareness programs are being held in educational and driving training institutions to sensitize young people about road safety.

He also highlighted the shortage of pollution checking centers in Shimla, prompting the Deputy Commissioner to propose exploring mobile van services that could offer pollution checks during routine vehicle inspections.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma, other committee members, and officials from various departments.