Hyderabad, July 21: Road accident deaths continue to rise in Telangana, claiming several lives every day. However, many families of victims remain unaware of financial assistance available under the Central Government’s Hit and Run Compensation Scheme, resulting in eligible beneficiaries missing out on compensation.
The Union Government introduced the Hit and Run Motor Accident Compensation Scheme in 2022 to provide immediate financial relief to victims of accidents caused by unidentified vehicles. Under the scheme, the family of a deceased victim is entitled to ₹2 lakh, while those who suffer grievous injuries can receive ₹50,000. The compensation is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account.
Despite the scheme, officials say awareness at the grassroots level remains low. As a result, many accident victims and their families fail to apply for the financial assistance.
Family members of victims who die in hit and run accidents must submit an application to the District Collector’s office. The application should include personal details, the date, time and place of the accident, along with copies of the FIR, Aadhaar card and bank account details.
In cases of death, applicants must also submit the death certificate, postmortem report and the nominee’s bank account details. Victims who sustain serious injuries in hit and run accidents are also eligible to apply for financial assistance.
Police play a crucial role in the compensation process. After registering a case, they investigate the accident. If the offending vehicle cannot be identified, police submit a report confirming that it remains untraced.
The report, along with the FIR and supporting documents, is forwarded to the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). The RDO verifies the application and submits a recommendation to the District Collector. The Collector is expected to issue orders within 15 days of receiving the police report.
Officials said many eligible families lose the benefit simply because they are unaware of the scheme or the application process.
Officials stressed that police enforcement alone cannot reduce road accidents. Every motorist must follow traffic rules and drive responsibly to save lives.
Drivers should use reflective triangles and warning signs when parking broken down vehicles on roads. They should avoid driving while tired and strictly follow speed limits.
Road users have also been advised to use high beam headlights responsibly at night, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, avoid drunk driving, refrain from using mobile phones while driving, wear seat belts, and immediately move disabled vehicles away from highways to prevent secondary accidents.
Authorities also urged two wheeler riders to invest in quality helmets instead of choosing cheaper alternatives, emphasizing that road safety begins with responsible behaviour.
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