₹4 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Road Accident Victims’ Families to Be Ensured Within 15 Days in Shimla District

Shimla:
In a major step towards reducing road accidents and strengthening the road safety system in Shimla district, it has been decided to expand the scope of the Road Safety Committee. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Road Safety Committee chaired by Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap here today.

The Road Safety Committee will now function at the sub-divisional level under the leadership of the respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs). The committee will include Executive Engineers (XENs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and other stakeholders. Earlier, the committee operated only at the district level, but it will now be actively implemented at the sub-division level to enhance public safety, promote awareness about traffic rules, prevent road accidents, and encourage timely assistance to accident victims during the golden hour.

The Deputy Commissioner said that in case of death due to a road accident, an ex-gratia amount of ₹4 lakh must be released within 15 days. The complete responsibility for ensuring timely disbursement will rest with the concerned SDM, who must ensure that the assistance reaches the affected family within the stipulated period. He noted that in many cases, families are forced to make repeated visits to offices, which will now be avoided.

To provide financial and other assistance to road accident victims referred to Shimla hospitals from across the district, the Urban SDM has been appointed as the nodal officer. Affected persons can directly contact the office of the Urban SDM to ensure that victims do not face any difficulties during treatment.

The Deputy Commissioner further informed that a comprehensive National Road Safety Month campaign is being conducted from January 1 to January 31, 2026, to reduce road accidents and promote safe traffic practices. The campaign focuses on public awareness, strict enforcement of traffic rules, and active community participation across Shimla city and the entire district.

The campaign includes road safety pledges, special enforcement drives, awareness programs on drunk driving, wrong-side driving, helmet and seatbelt compliance, and lane discipline. Workshops are being organized for school and college students, taxi and bus drivers, and the general public. Activities such as street plays, safety quizzes, identification and training of road safety volunteers, free eye check-up camps for drivers, and promotion of the Good Samaritan Incentive Scheme to encourage people to help accident victims are also part of the campaign.