Page 7 - NIS English 16-31 March, 2026

“PM RAHAT” ‘Bee Corridors’ to be
Cashless Treatment to Developed Along the
Road Accident Victims National Highways

The central government has taken a major The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
initiative to ensure that road accident victims are has announced a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop
not deprived of treatment within an hour. Prime pollinator or bee corridors along National Highways.
Minister Narendra Modi has approved the launch Marking a shift from ornamental to ecological
of the PM RAHAT (Road Accident Hospitalisation plantations, the ‘Bee Corridor’ will have a continuous
and Assured Treatment) scheme. Under the scheme, linear stretch of bee-friendly vegetation comprising
every victim of a road accident of any category will flowering trees and plants that will ensure the availability
receive cash treatment up to n150,000 for seven of nectar and pollen throughout the year. Native
days from the date of the accident. The Ministry of species of trees and plants, including Neem, Karanj,
Road Transport and Highways stated that hospitals Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, and Siris, will be
will be compensated through the Motor Vehicle planted along National Highways. NHAI aims to plant
Accident Fund. Studies show that approximately 50 approximately 4 million trees along national highways
percent of road accident deaths could be avoided if by 2026-27, of which approximately 60 percent will be
victims were hospitalised within the first hour. planted under the “bee corridor” initiative.

Applications Open for

Prime Minister’s

Awards for Yoga – 2026

Due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations, with the
support of a record number of countries, decided to celebrate International Day of
Yoga every year on June 21st. The Prime Minister’s Yoga Award series, launched to
promote yoga, invites applications for 2026 from individuals and institutions whose
sustained efforts have increased the impact of yoga globally. Applications for the
awards can be made on the national awards portal, www.awards.gov.in. The deadline
for applications is March 21, 2026. The Ministry of AYUSH has stated that the
registration date may be extended by 15 days if necessary. Each awardee will receive
a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of n25 Lakh. In the Prime Minister’s Yoga
Awards 2026, two awards each will be presented at the national and international
levels in both the individual and institutional categories.

March 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 5