Punjab's Road Accident Deaths Plummet 48% After Sadak Surakhya Force: A Model for Other States?

Chandigarh:Punjab has achieved a remarkable turnaround in road safety, with road accident deaths declining by 48 percent after the formation of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF). Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said the dedicated force, created to ensure swift emergency response and quality trauma care, has become a milestone in saving lives and improving overall road discipline in the state.

The Chief Minister noted that Punjab, which once figured among the top three states in the country for road accident fatalities, has now set an example for the nation. “Several states have approached the Punjab Government to replicate the Sadak Surakhya Force model in their own regions. This itself shows the credibility and success of this initiative,” he said.

CM Mann added that even the Prime Minister has highlighted the importance of road safety in Mann Ki Baat, and Punjab has shown the country a new direction by creating a specialised force exclusively focused on accident prevention and emergency response. “Punjab has given a new path to the nation through Sadak Surakhya Force,” he remarked.

He said the SSF consists of 1,597 specially trained and newly recruited personnel, supported by 144 modern, fully equipped vehicles. Since its launch in February last year, the force has not only reduced accident fatalities by nearly half but has also ensured transparency and accountability by safely returning the valuables and money belonging to accident victims.

The force has been strategically deployed along 4,200 kilometres of accident-prone highways across the state. Apart from providing rapid first aid and shifting victims to hospitals in the golden hour, the SSF also acts as a strong deterrent against traffic violations through continuous patrolling and monitoring.

“Earlier governments never paid serious attention to this crucial issue of public safety. That is why Punjab had reached such an alarming position in accident casualties. Today, we are correcting those mistakes and saving precious lives,” the Chief Minister said.

Highlighting infrastructure development, CM Mann said the government is building 43,000 kilometres of high-quality roads across Punjab, ensuring better connectivity between villages and major highways. He said improved road engineering, along with the presence of SSF, is significantly reducing accidents and improving travel safety.

Referring to the Sangrur–Patiala road, once infamously known as the ‘killer road’ with an average of nearly three deaths every day, the Chief Minister said it has now been completely transformed. “This road stands as a living example of how focused governance and strong enforcement can change realities on the ground,” he added.

CM Mann emphasised that today accident victims are receiving immediate first aid and proper medical treatment, which has dramatically improved survival rates. “Quick response, timely hospitalisation and better trauma care are the real reasons behind the sharp reduction in fatalities,” he said.

Calling the Sadak Surakhya Force a people-centric initiative, the Chief Minister said it reflects the government’s commitment to protecting human lives. “This is not just about statistics. It is about families being saved from lifelong grief. Punjab is moving steadily towards becoming a model state in road safety for the entire country,” he concluded.