The Government of India has undertaken initiatives to establish trauma care facilities along National Highways under the scheme “Capacity Building for Developing Trauma Care Facilities on National Highways”, aimed at reducing preventable deaths due to road accidents through a nationwide trauma care network.
Scheme Objective and Coverage
The primary objective of the scheme is to reduce fatalities from road accidents by developing a pan-India trauma care system. As part of the initiative, a designated trauma centre is planned approximately every 100 km along National Highways.
During the 11th and 12th Five Year Plans, around 200 Trauma Care Facilities (TCFs) were identified and supported financially under the programme.
Capacity Building and Human Resources
Given the shortage of trained medical and paramedical personnel, the scheme also provided financial support for manpower for up to three years. State governments, as per MoU provisions, are required to create permanent posts to absorb contractual staff and ensure continuity of services.
To strengthen capacity, training programmes such as Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) for doctors and Basic Life Support (BLS) for nurses are being implemented. In addition, a Pre-Hospital Trauma Technician (PTT) course has been developed for paramedics deployed in ambulances.
Road Accident Data (2015–2017)
As per data from State/UT police departments, road accidents on highways were reported as follows:
- 2015: 1,42,268
- 2016: 1,42,359
- 2017: 1,41,466
Causes of Road Accidents
Road accidents are attributed to multiple factors, including:
- Use of mobile phones while driving
- Drunken driving or substance use
- Overloading of vehicles
- Poor lighting conditions
- Jumping red lights
- Overspeeding and risky overtaking
- Driving on wrong side
- Road and vehicle defects
- Pedestrian and cyclist errors
- Adverse weather conditions
Official Statement
The information was provided by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
