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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)NEW_2019Chapter V
Section 135
Schemes for Golden Hour Treatment of Accident Victims
Control of Traffic
Fine: N/ACompoundable: N/AEndorsement: No
BARE ACT PROVISION
Legal Text
The Central Government shall make a scheme for cashless treatment of victims of accidents on national highways during the golden hour and the expenses for such treatment shall be paid from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
Simplified Explanation
Section 135 is one of the most practically significant additions of the 2019 Amendment — mandating a cashless treatment scheme for accident victims during the 'golden hour' (the first 60 minutes after trauma, during which prompt medical intervention dramatically improves survival rates). The scheme is to be funded from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund established under Section 164B. Under the scheme, any hospital (empanelled under PMJAY or similar) must provide emergency treatment to road accident victims for the first 24 hours without demanding payment — costs are later reimbursed from the Fund. This provision directly addresses the common tragedy of accident victims being denied immediate treatment due to inability to pay or unavailability of relatives with funds. The MoRTH has implemented this scheme on National Highways, with expansion to other roads planned.
Historical Context
Studies show that approximately 50% of road accident deaths in India occur within the first hour of the accident — the golden hour — and could be prevented with timely medical intervention. Financial barriers to immediate hospital treatment have been identified as a major cause of these preventable deaths.Critical Changes
Section 135 added by MVA Amendment 2019 — mandatory golden hour cashless treatment scheme.
Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (Section 164B) provides financial backing.
Initially implemented on National Highways — expansion planned.
Practical Scenarios
"An accident victim on NH-48 with no money or insurance — must be treated by empanelled hospital under Section 135 scheme, with costs recovered from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund."
Common Queries
No — under Section 135 and the Golden Hour scheme, hospitals must provide immediate emergency treatment to accident victims on national highways without demanding payment upfront. The cost is reimbursed from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
The 'golden hour' refers to the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury — the window during which prompt medical intervention most dramatically improves survival chances. Section 135 specifically mandates cashless treatment during this critical period.