Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh :
Other States Keen to Adopt Punjab’s Road Safety Model; PM Highlights State’s Initiative in Mann Ki Baat
Punjab has achieved a significant breakthrough in road safety following the creation of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), with road accident deaths in the state falling by 48 percent. Once ranked among the top three states in India for road accident fatalities, Punjab has reversed this alarming trend through a system that emphasizes rapid emergency response, immediate first aid, and improved trauma care for accident victims.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted the impact of the SSF in transforming accident-prone areas, particularly the Sangrur–Patiala stretch, previously infamously known as the ‘killer road’ with nearly three deaths reported daily. “Today, accident victims receive immediate first aid and proper treatment at hospitals, which is saving lives,” the CM said, adding that this intervention has made a remarkable difference in public safety.
Since its launch in February last year, the SSF, comprising 1,597 specially trained personnel equipped with 144 modern vehicles, has become the backbone of Punjab’s road safety strategy. The force is deployed along 4,200 kilometres of highways that are prone to traffic accidents, patrolling diligently to prevent violations and ensure the safe return of valuables and money belonging to injured citizens.
Highlighting Punjab’s success at the national level, CM Mann said, “The Prime Minister spoke about road safety in Mann Ki Baat, but Punjab has shown the entire country a new path by creating the Sadak Surakhya Force.” The state’s model has drawn attention from several other states, which are now keen to replicate the initiative to enhance road safety in their own regions.
In addition to the SSF’s deployment, Punjab is constructing 43,000 kilometres of high-quality roads, connecting even remote villages with major highways. “The Sangrur-Patiala road, once notorious for daily fatalities, has been completely transformed,” said the CM. He emphasized that no previous government had focused on these critical public safety issues, which had placed Punjab among the worst-hit states for road accidents.
The SSF’s work, combined with improved infrastructure, has not only reduced fatalities but also strengthened public confidence in road safety measures. Other states are reportedly in talks with Punjab to adopt the model, making the SSF a pioneering example of proactive governance in India.