The Yatri Rahat Yojana (Passenger Relief Scheme) of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is designed to provide financial assistance to passengers and their families in the event of death or injury caused by accidents involving UPSRTC buses.More than Rs 17.33 crore assistance since 2017Between 2017–18 and 2025–26, financial assistance of more than Rs 17.33 crore was provided in 342 cases under the scheme. During this period, the highest payment was made in 2019-20, when approximately Rs 3.68 crore was provided in 78 cases of death, followed by approximately Rs 2.37 crore in 48 cases in 2021-22. Similarly, around Rs 2.10 crore was paid in 42 cases in 2017-18, Rs 1.85 crore in 32 cases in 2023-24, and Rs 1.97 crore in 27 cases in 2025-26.This included approximately:
- Rs 17.08 crore in 322 death cases
- Rs 24.37 lakh in 20 injury cases
The figures reflect the government’s effort to provide immediate financial support to families affected by road accidents involving state transport buses. The compensation for the death of an adult passenger was increased to Rs 7.50 lakh in 2023.Compensation in case of deathUnder the current provisions, compensation is available depending on the category of passenger:
- Death of an adult passenger: Up to Rs 7.50 lakh
- Death of a child travelling on a half ticket: Up to Rs 3.75 lakh
- Death of a child travelling free of charge: Approximately Rs 1.87 lakh
The compensation is paid to the deceased passenger’s eligible family members or dependants.Assistance for injured passengersThe scheme also provides financial assistance to passengers who suffer injuries in accidents involving UPSRTC buses. The assistance varies according to the severity of the injury.Broadly, the provisions include:
- Ordinary injuries: Up to Rs 25,000
- Serious injuries: Up to Rs 1 lakh
- Very serious injuries: Up to Rs 2.50 lakh
The assistance is subject to the prescribed documentation, medical records and verification process. Scheme expanded to cover pedestriansA significant expansion came in April 2026, when the scope of the scheme was extended beyond passengers.Pedestrians and other non-passengers who are killed or seriously injured in accidents involving UPSRTC or its contracted buses can also receive assistance under specified conditions. The provisions include:
- Death of a pedestrian: Up to Rs 5 lakh
- Serious injury: Up to Rs 2.50 lakh
However, assistance can be denied where investigation establishes that the concerned person was responsible for the accident because of negligence.A wider social-security netThe Yatri Rahat Yojana represents an important component of Uttar Pradesh’s efforts to make public transport safer and more socially responsive. For families that lose a breadwinner in a bus accident, financial assistance can provide immediate relief at a time of severe economic distress.The expansion of the scheme in 2026 is particularly significant because it recognises that accidents involving public transport can affect not only passengers but also pedestrians and other road users.Thus, the scheme has evolved from a passenger compensation mechanism into a broader road-accident relief framework, providing financial support to victims and their families while reinforcing the government’s responsibility towards public-transport safety.
