Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann launches ‘Sadak Surakhya Force’ for accident victims

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, January 27

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann kick-started the state government’s flagship road safety project, the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), by flagging off a fleet of 144 hi-tech vehicles here today.

He launched the initiative in the presence of DGP Gaurav Yadav, other top police officers and hundreds of police personnel dressed in the brand new SSF uniform. The 144 hi-tech Hilux vehicles will be deployed across 12 districts.

144 hi-tech vehicles in 12 dists

• 144 hi-tech vehicles will be deployed across 12 districts, covering 4,000 km of state and national highways
• Stationed every 30 km, these vehicles will be connected with pvt hospitals for prompt rescue of accident victims
• Every vehicle will have a team of four police personnel headed by an ASI-rank officer; team will respond & rescue in 15 minutes

CM Mann said the SSF’s aim was to reduce road fatalities by at least half in the state, and the state government would share the data on accidents by February-end, comparing it with that of the same period last year. He also declared a four-day holiday for SSF personnel so that they can report to duty from February 1.

“Punjab is going to be the first state in the country with a separate force to prevent accidents and road crimes. The idea for the SSF took root in 2016-17, when as the Sangrur MP, I sought data of accidents and found that Punjab topped in fatalities with 14 road accident deaths a day.

The injured were in lakhs. Today, the number has increased to 17-18 deaths a day. I had thought then, if I ever got a chance, I would make a separate police force to prevent deaths on roads. Today, that dream has come true,” he said.

The CM further said, “You will find an SSF vehicle at every 30 km. These are computer-fitted vehicles, attached with private hospitals to rush in medical help in emergencies. Even if there is 50 per cent reduction in fatalities, we will save 3,000 lives.”

The DGP said: “The SSF will cover 4,000 km of the state and national highways, where the accident rate is 65 per cent.”

Home Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh; ADGP, Traffic, AS Rai; ADGP MF Farooqui; Cabinet minister Balkar Singh; Jalandhar MP Sushil Rinku; and MLAs Inderjit Kaur Mann, Raman Arora and Sheetal Angural were also present on the occasion.