Thiruvananthapuram,01 July (H.S.):The Kerala government has decided to implement the Centre's PM Raahat Scheme, paving the way for cashless emergency treatment of road accident victims across the State. The scheme, which had remained pending in Kerala under the previous LDF government, provides medical assistance of up to ₹1.5 lakh for victims of road accidents and covers treatment for up to seven days at empanelled hospitals.

The earlier government had withheld implementation, arguing that the financial assistance was inadequate and seeking an enhancement of the coverage amount. The present government has now decided to roll out the scheme without further delay.

Transport Minister C.P. John informed the Assembly that eligible victims would receive the benefit once the police and hospital authorities certify that the injuries were caused in a road accident. The State-level launch of the scheme will be held at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where Health Minister K. Muraleedharan will formally inaugurate it.

The Minister said the Central government would bear the cost of treatment without imposing any conditions on beneficiaries.

Announcing a series of transport and road safety initiatives, C.P. John said the annual income ceiling for persons with at least 40 per cent disability to obtain concessional travel passes on KSRTC buses would be increased from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000. The government has also decided to provide immediate financial assistance of ₹10,000 to people injured in accidents involving KSRTC buses.

The Minister said Kerala records more than 4,000 road accident deaths every year, and the government's objective is to bring the annual toll down to around 1,000 through a comprehensive road safety campaign to be launched across the State.

He also announced plans to introduce a sunset cruise service on the Vembanad Lake and commence a boat service between Veli and Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram. A cargo water transport corridor connecting Kochi, Kottayam and Alappuzha is also under consideration. The government is further exploring the introduction of hydrogen-powered buses as part of efforts to reduce air pollution.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman