Punjab’s road initiative shows the way to safer highways
To tackle road safety issues and the alarming number of road fatalities in the state, one of the major challenges of Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a meeting of the Chief Secretary, Transport Minister, Director General of Police (DGP), ADGP (Traffic) and Traffic Adviser, Punjab, in April, 2023. Around 12 to 13 persons die in mishaps every day. An innovative and determined approach to reduce the accidents was decided upon.
The Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre (PRSTRC) was directed to identify accident-prone routes using a real-time data-driven approach. The PRSTRC mapped 144 critical routes spanning 4,100 km, where at least 60 per cent of the mishaps happened, usually between 6 pm and midnight, when the enforcement was lean. With only 1,800 traffic personnel for over 1.3 crore vehicles, 180 cities and towns and more than 72,000 km of highways, Punjab’s 15-year-old highway patrol system, with its ageing fleet and outdated gadgets, was ill-equipped to handle the rising challenges.
Determined to find a speedy solution, the financial and procedural obstacles were cleared by the CM. On August 11, 2023, the Cabinet approved the creation of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF). Designed for 24/7 patrolling on the identified high-risk routes, the SSF was set up with 1,600 personnel in its first phase, including 1,255 fresh recruits. They underwent a rigorous six-month training. The SSF team has an average age of 22, with women constituting 28 per cent of the strength, marking a significant step towards gender equality in law enforcement.
Women were earlier excluded from vehicle driving and maintenance training due to outdated norms. The SSF became the first Punjab Police unit to have 350 women in motor transport training. Incidentally, all of them had volunteered for it. A 12-module course was introduced, covering crash investigation, emergency response, road engineering basics and advanced navigation technology. Conducted at the in-service training centre in Kapurthala, it focused on imparting practical skills.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau reveals that 650 to 700 police and paramilitary personnel lose their lives every year while on duty and 80 to 90 per cent of these fatalities are due to road accidents. These numbers underscore the critical need for improved road safety, especially for those enforcing it.
To address this issue, uniforms and vehicles were designed for enhanced visibility and safety, particularly for night operations. The uniforms feature retroreflective piping and jackets with reflective bands. The vehicles, Toyota Hilux models, selected for their safety standards and off-road capabilities, are also equipped with retroreflective markings and painted in white, red and yellow colours, ensuring maximum visibility in foggy and low-light conditions, commonly experienced during the winter months.
The SSF was officially launched in January this year. Operational since February 1, it has been providing round-the-clock patrolling in all 144 high-risk routes. Each team has four members, including at least one woman, and stationed every 30 km to ensure that accident victims receive medical care within 15 minutes.
Strategic halting points, that have been determined by using three years’ accident data, ensure optimal coverage and response time. Patrolling routes and schedules (morning, evening, late night and lean hours) are planned using crowd-sourced data from Google Maps and TomTom, ensuring near-real time response and comprehensive coverage.
The second phase will focus on enforcing violations such as speeding, drunk driving, use of mobile phone while driving and non-compliance with helmet and seatbelt laws. The SSF vehicles are equipped with night-vision speed guns and public address systems to guide the road users.
This evidence-based data-driven strategy has shown immediate results. Within eight months, the SSF has reduced the average emergency response time to just six minutes and 41 seconds, saving numerous lives. Handling over 17,000 accident cases, the SSF has reduced fatalities on Punjab highways by 20 to 30 per cent. With the socioeconomic cost of a single fatal accident pegged at Rs 1.1 crore, the SSF’s monthly operational cost is less than half the cost of one fatal crash. It is one of the most cost-effective road safety measures.
The SSF has also played an active role in crime prevention, recovery of drugs, arms and stolen goods, intervention in suicide attempts and management of emergencies, like vehicle breakdown and hazardous material spill.
To offset its carbon footprint, the SSF planted 5,000 trees along the routes, promoting greenery and ecological balance, in line with Punjab’s broader vision of sustainable development.
Sustained financial and logistical support is required for the SSF to meet these targets. Continuous training and motivation of the force are essential to maintain the high standards set for it. The ongoing integration of advanced technologies like AI-based surveillance systems, predictive analytics and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) offers opportunities for enhancing efficiency. Collaborations with insurance companies, which directly benefit from reduced accidents, could provide additional financial support for the initiative.
The Sadak Surakhya Force has revolutionised road safety in Punjab due to political will, scientific planning and dedicated policing. By prioritising inclusivity, visibility and swift response, along with real-time, evidence-based policing and high-visibility strategies, the SSF has significantly reduced road fatalities, setting a benchmark for highway safety in India.
The SSF’s success demonstrates how a customised solution, tailored to a state’s needs, can drive meaningful change. It has positioned Punjab as a leader in road safety. The SSF offers a blueprint for safer roads and a brighter future across the nation, marking a new paradigm in road safety.
