Chandigarh, Jan 28: Road accident fatalities in Punjab have declined by 48 percent following the introduction of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), marking a significant shift in the state’s public safety landscape. Once ranked among the top three states for road accident deaths, the state has transitioned toward a system that prioritizes immediate first aid and rapid trauma care for victims.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on Sunday that the success of the force has drawn national attention. He mentioned that several other states have approached the Punjab government to implement similar models within their own jurisdictions to curb highway casualties.
“Punjab has witnessed a 48 percent reduction in road accident deaths, due to which several other states are now eager to replicate this model,” the Chief Minister said. He further noted that “many states have contacted the Punjab government to implement this unique public safety initiative in their own regions.”
The force comprises 1,597 specially trained personnel equipped with 144 modern vehicles, patrolling approximately 4,200 kilometers of accident-prone highways. Since its inception in February last year, the SSF has focused on both deterrence of traffic violations and the recovery of valuables belonging to accident victims.
The Chief Minister also referenced the transformation of the Sangrur-Patiala road, previously labeled a “killer road” due to high daily casualty rates. He mentioned that the government is currently overseeing the construction of 43,000 kilometers of high-quality roads to better integrate rural areas with major highways.
“The Prime Minister of India spoke about road safety in Mann Ki Baat, but Punjab showed the entire country a new path by creating the Sadak Surakhya Force,” Mann said. He added that accident victims now receive timely medical intervention, which has been the primary factor in saving lives across the state’s road network.
