Detection of road accidents on National Highways and to provide medical assistance to road accident victims is basically the responsibility of the State Government. The Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways has been providing ambulances to States/UTs/NGOs to evacuate accident victims to the nearest medical center under National Highways Accident Relief Service Scheme.
During the period from 2000-01 to 2006-07, 337 ambulances had been given to various States/NGOs under this scheme. In addition, National Highways Authority of India provides an ambulance at an average interval of 50 kms under their Operation and Maintenance Contracts/Build operate Transfer agreements on the completed stretches of National Highways entrusted to them. National Highways Authority of India has deployed 96 ambulances on National Highways. In strategic locations of few stretches, cameras were installed by National Highways Authority of India which facilitates quick detection of road accidents.During the IX & Xth Five Year Plan periods, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare were operating a scheme under which financial assistance of up-to Rs.1.50 crores was being provided to the State Government Hospitals located on National Highways for upgradation and strengthening of emergency facilities. Under this scheme, 113 State Government Hospitals were provided financial assistance during IX & Xth Five Year Plan.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have now formulated a scheme to be implemented during the XIth Five Year Plan under which an integrated Trauma Care Centres Network is proposed to be got established in the State Government Hospital/Medical College located along the Golden Quadrilateral, North-South and East-West Corridors of the National Highways by providing financial assistance.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Source-PIB
SRM/P
