Road Accidents Continue to Claim Lives in Tripura, Even as Transport Minister Says Fatalities Are Declining
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 23, 2026
Road accidents remain a recurring concern across Tripura, with people continuing to be injured and killed in crashes on roads and highways. Against this backdrop, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has presented government data indicating that road accident-related casualties in the state have been declining. The contrasting picture between frequent reports of accidents on the ground and the government's reported trend has once again brought road safety into focus.
Speaking at the inauguration of three numbers road-safety and accident-assistance initiatives in West Tripura district, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the government is taking several measures to provide immediate assistance to accident victims and their families.
The three numbers initiatives are the PM Rahat (Cashless Treatment) Scheme, the Hit-and-Run Compensation Scheme and the Rah Veer (Good Samaritan) Scheme. The programmes were launched during a district-level event organised under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' road-safety initiative.
According to the minister, many people living in rural areas are still unaware of the benefits available under these schemes. He said both the Central and state governments are working to ensure that more people receive the benefits.
The minister said the PM Rahat scheme is intended to provide cashless treatment to eligible road-accident victims at designated hospitals, with assistance available up to Rs.1.50 lakh. He said the scheme was launched in May 2025.
He further said the Hit-and-Run scheme provides financial assistance to victims of hit-and-run accidents. Under the scheme, the family of a person who dies in such an accident can receive up to Rs.2 lakh, while an injured person can receive Rs.50,000 as financial assistance.
According to the minister, the initiative was introduced by the Central Government under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, following amendments relating to compensation for victims of hit-and-run accidents.
He also referred to the Rah Veer (Good Samaritan) Scheme, under which people who voluntarily assist accident victims are encouraged and rewarded for their intervention. The minister said a person who helps an accident victim reach a hospital and facilitates timely medical treatment can receive a Rs.25,000 reward and a certificate from the government.
However, the minister's comments come amid a continuing public perception that road accidents remain frequent across Tripura. Reports of crashes involving two-wheelers, cars, commercial vehicles and other modes of transport continue to emerge from different parts of the state.
This creates an important question for public discussion: while the government is reporting a decline in road accidents and casualties over the past several years, why do road accidents continue to remain a regular occurrence in different parts of Tripura?
Former West Tripura Zilla Parishad president Biswajit Shil said an accident does not merely take a life but can push an entire family into uncertainty and financial hardship. He stressed that greater public awareness about road-safety measures and assistance schemes could help reduce the impact of accidents.
MLA Meena Rani Sarkar was also present at the programme. She spoke about the need for stronger road-safety awareness and the implementation of initiatives involving police personnel and other social organisations.
Transport Department Secretary UK Chakma discussed the objectives of the road-safety initiatives, institutional coordination and the expected outcomes. West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Dr. Vishal Kumar, IAS also attended the programme and spoke about the importance of coordinated efforts to improve road safety.
The initiatives are significant because the immediate response following a road accident can often determine the extent of injury and the chances of survival. Quick transportation to hospital, timely treatment and assistance to victims' families can reduce both medical and financial hardships.
The government's emphasis on cashless treatment, compensation and support for Good Samaritans is therefore aimed at strengthening the post-accident response mechanism. But the larger challenge remains preventing accidents in the first place through safer roads, responsible driving, enforcement of traffic rules, better lighting and signage, helmet and seat-belt compliance, and public awareness.
For Tripura, the issue is therefore two-fold: the government data may show a declining trend in road accidents and casualties, but the continuing occurrence of serious accidents across the state keeps road safety a major public concern.
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