Odisha government runs Rakshak Scheme (Project Rakshak), a road safety programme that trains volunteers to act as first responders during road accidents. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the scheme on 10 November 2021 for people staying or working near accident prone areas. As of 2026, the scheme continues under the Commerce and Transport Department and has expanded further with a new phase for National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets.
Details about the training phases, latest progress, compensation amounts, the new Junior Rakshak phase and official links of the scheme are given below.
Odisha Rakshak Scheme 2026 for Road Safety
Odisha Rakshak Scheme is the first state level programme of its kind in the country. Under it, 30,000 volunteers staying or working at eateries and different small businesses located near accident prone spots are trained as first responders to road accidents. Trained volunteers give the first treatment and quickly move injured persons to the nearest hospital during the golden hour.
Launch of Rakshak First Responder's Training Programme in Odisha
Rakshak Scheme was launched on 10 November 2021 by the then Chief Minister of Odisha. At the time of the launch it was stated that road accidents are a serious cause of concern for families and the economy of the entire state. In a road accident, the first hour is the most important time for saving lives, so the government started this special training programme.
The training work is being run under the Commerce and Transport Department of Odisha government with partnership of Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State branch. Complete details of Project Rakshak can be seen on the Project Rakshak official page of Odisha transport department.
Phase 1 of Odisha Rakshak First Responder Training Programme
Rakshak training is done in two main phases. In the first phase, Master Trainers are prepared through special Training of Trainers (TOTs) sessions. As per the official transport department data, 381 Master Trainers have been trained so far, which is higher than the earlier target of 300 master trainers.
These Master Trainers include volunteers from the Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch and many NGOs in the state. TOTs are conducted at 10 places in the state - Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore, Koraput, Phulbani, Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Bhawanipatna.
Phase 2 of Rakshak Scheme
In the second phase, the trained Master Trainers go to accident prone areas in all the 30 districts of Odisha. They train local people there so that local persons can take care of accident victims without waiting for external help. This also creates a large skill base inside the community.
District wise training data of the scheme shows that more than 12,865 First Responders have been trained across the state so far. The department has also published the list of trained first responders on the internet. The official updates and current training numbers can be checked on the training data page of the transport department.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Odisha Rakshak Scheme (Project Rakshak) |
| State | Odisha |
| Launched On | 10 November 2021 |
| Launched By | Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik |
| Managing Department | Commerce and Transport Department, Odisha |
| Main Target | 30,000 First Responders |
| Training Progress | 381 Master Trainers and 12,865 First Responders trained |
| New Phase | Junior Rakshak for around 62,000 NCC cadets |
| Reward Amount | ₹2,000 for each person who helps a road accident victim |
| Compensation | ₹2 lakh for death, ₹50,000 for critical injury victim |
| Official Website | odishatransport.gov.in |
Duties of First Responders in Case of Road Accidents
Around 30,000 First Responders are being equipped to give first aid and pre-hospital trauma care to accident victims within the golden hour. They also tell nearby people and local families about road safety rules and the Good Samaritan protection law. Odisha Public Transport and Integrated Commuter System (OPTICS) was also opened during the same period by the former Chief Minister.
The main work of a First Responder is simple:
- Give the first medical - Give primary care to the victim, control bleeding and keep the person stable till help arrives.
- Shift to hospital - Help take the injured person to the nearest hospital quickly and inform the family members.
- Spread road safety awareness - Explain the importance of safe driving, seat belts and immediate help to the public.
Golden Hour in Case of Road Accident
The first one hour after a road accident is called the golden hour. Many lives can be saved if the victim receives treatment during this hour. A reward of ₹2,000 has been kept for people who come forward to help a road accident victim, and the government has also formed a ₹147 crore corpus fund for the treatment of accident victims.
The support of NGOs and the many volunteers has always been important in this work, because they help create awareness and give the first care to the injured person.
Compensation for Road Accident Victims in Odisha
Accident affected families are eligible for compensation under the Solarium style fund of the state. As part of this fund, the legal heir of a person who dies in a road accident is entitled to get ₹2 lakh. A critically injured person is entitled to get ₹50,000. Deaths can be avoided if the victim receives medical care within the first hour, which is why trained First Responders are required.
Junior Rakshak Phase for NCC Cadets
In 2026, a new phase called Junior Rakshak has been added to this scheme. The Commerce and Transport Department of Odisha has signed a partnership with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) for this programme. Under it, the aim is to train around 62,000 NCC cadets as Junior Rakshak first responders, with a target to train about 20,000 cadets every year at NCC camps in the state.
Junior Rakshak cadets will work as road safety ambassadors and student road safety helpers. They will also support traffic police and help the victims of the crime. Under this phase, over 700 Defence Trainers and Associate NCC Officers are being used as Master Trainers. The details of the Junior phase can be seen on the about Rakshak official page of Odisha transport department.
Usage of OPTICS Application
With the OPTICS application, citizens can see the details of bus at a location, buses between two places and bus information such as registration card, permit, route and time. People can also rate buses based on their journey and file complaints against a bus for specific reasons. Around 1.5 lakh persons lose their lives in road accidents across the country every year, and in Odisha more than 5,000 people die in accidents annually. This is the main reason behind the launch of Rakshak Scheme.
Official Website and Documents for Rakshak Scheme 2026
All types of official information about this scheme are available on the website of the Odisha transport department. The department has released the list of trained first responders and the district wise training data for all to check.
- Project Rakshak official page of Odisha transport department
- First Responder list PDF of Odisha transport department
- District wise training data of Rakshak scheme
FAQ
Is Odisha Rakshak Scheme still running in 2026?
Yes, Project Rakshak is still running under the Commerce and Transport Department of Odisha. More than 12,865 first responders have been trained in the state so far, and the Junior Rakshak phase for NCC cadets is also being started.
Who launched Odisha Rakshak Scheme?
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the scheme on 10 November 2021.
What compensation is given to accident victims under this scheme?
Legal heir of a person dying in a road accident can get ₹2 lakh, a critically injured person can get ₹50,000, and a person who helps a road accident victim gets a reward of ₹2,000.
For the transport sector, the state also has Odisha Atmanirbhar Mahila Su Vahak Scheme, which helps women start their own driving related business in Odisha.
Respected August Chair,
here in this page mentioned that "the Master Trainers include volunteers from Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch and NGOs across the state. "
But it is your kind attention, information and necessary action, there is also the Civil Defence Volunteers of Home Department, Government of Odisha, under supervision and instruction of DG/ADG Fire, Home Guards and Civil Defence are participated in TOT programme and successfully completed the training programme.
So, please add the Civil Defence name in the list, not only the Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha Branch and NGOs.