The Government of India envisaged (November 1999) a scheme for developing a network of Trauma Care Centres (TCCs) along the Golden Quadrilateral, to provide emergency treatment to accident victims. The scheme involved provision of financial assistance for upgradation and strengthening of emergency facilities in State hospitals located on National Highways. The hospitals designated by the State Government and approved by GoI, were to be upgraded to Levels I to IV within a period of twelve months from the date of sanction. The grants covered various components like civil works, equipment, manpower, communication systems, training, legal assistance, etc. depending on the level of upgradation of a particular hospital. In Andhra Pradesh, 17 hospitals (Level-II: 9; Level-III: 8) were selected (2004-09) for upgradation as TCCs at a cost of INR 125.25 crore. As of August 2011, GoI released INR 49.08 crore to these hospitals. This performance audit reviewing the period 2004-05 to 2010-11 revealed that none of the 17 TCCs were fully operational as of August 2011 due to non-completion of civil works or, where the civil works had been completed, equipment had not been procured or, required manpower had not been put in place. Thus, the objective of providing basic life support and emergency care in the golden hour i.e., first hour of injury to accident victims in the Golden Quadrangle within Andhra Pradesh remains unachieved even after the lapse of over two to five years of necessary sanctions having been accorded by GoI.