New Delhi, April 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced financial relief from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims of a deadly road accident in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, where a vehicle skidded off a mountain road and fell into a deep gorge, claiming multiple lives and leaving several others injured.

What Happened in Tehri Garhwal

The accident occurred in the hilly terrain of Tehri Garhwal, a region where steep roads and sharp curves make vehicular travel particularly hazardous. A vehicle lost control and plunged into a deep gorge, resulting in fatalities and injuries among its occupants.

Local rescue teams and district administration personnel were immediately deployed to the site to carry out relief and evacuation operations. The challenging geography of the region, marked by narrow roads and difficult terrain, posed significant obstacles to the rescue effort.

Injured survivors were rushed to nearby medical facilities for emergency treatment, while authorities worked to recover those trapped at the accident site.

PM Modi Condolences and Financial Assistance

Prime Minister Modi expressed profound grief over the loss of lives, stating that the tragedy in the hilly region was deeply saddening. He conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the mishap.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle: The loss of lives due to an accident in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand is saddening. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover at the earliest. An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

The announcement confirms an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 to each injured survivor to assist with medical treatment expenses.

Relief Amounts and PMNRF Support

The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund has long served as the central government's primary mechanism for providing immediate financial assistance to citizens affected by natural disasters, accidents, and other calamities. The fund ensures that financial constraints do not worsen the trauma experienced by grieving or injured families.

The PMO confirmed it remains in active coordination with the Uttarakhand state government to oversee the swift disbursement of the announced relief amounts to eligible beneficiaries.

PM Modi also extended his prayers for the speedy recovery of all those currently receiving medical care, urging the administration to ensure all necessary support reaches the affected individuals without delay.

Uttarakhand Road Safety Crisis

This accident adds to a troubling pattern of road mishaps in Uttarakhand's mountainous districts. The state's hilly roads, particularly in districts like Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Pithoragarh, witness a disproportionately high number of fatal accidents every year due to sharp bends, inadequate road width, poor signage, and overloaded vehicles.

According to road transport data, Uttarakhand consistently ranks among Indian states with high accident fatality rates per kilometre of hill road. Experts and civil society groups have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of vehicle load limits, mandatory speed governors on mountain routes, and faster construction of crash barriers along vulnerable stretches.

This is not the first time the PMNRF has been invoked for road accident victims in the state. Similar relief was announced following multiple gorge-fall accidents in previous years, raising questions about the adequacy of long-term infrastructure investment versus repeated short-term relief payouts.

Administration Directed to Ensure Full Support

The Tehri Garhwal district administration has been directed by the state government to ensure that all injured persons receive prompt and adequate medical care. Authorities are also tasked with facilitating the documentation process required for the PMNRF relief to reach the families of the deceased without bureaucratic delays.

The Uttarakhand government is expected to submit a detailed report to the PMO regarding the number of casualties, the condition of the injured, and the progress of relief distribution in the coming days.

As Uttarakhand prepares for the high-footfall Char Dham Yatra season, the accident underscores the urgent need for heightened road safety measures and infrastructure upgrades along pilgrimage and tourist routes across the state.