Punjab Government's Groundbreaking Initiative under leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann: Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF)

By Manoj Dhiman 

Key Highlights:
•    144 High-Tech Vehicles (Toyota Hilux & Mahindra Scorpio) deployed at 30 km intervals for continuous highway monitoring.
•    Each vehicle manned by a 4-member team, led by an ASI-rank patrol in-charge for efficient oversight.
•    Road interceptors stationed in every district, operated by trained officers working 24/7 in 8-hour shifts.
•    Specialized training provided at Police Training Academy, Kapurthala, ensuring high efficiency.
•    Vehicles equipped with speed guns, breath analyzers, e-challan machines, and AI-powered monitoring systems.

Under the visionary leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government has launched a revolutionary initiative—the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF)—a first-of-its-kind road safety force in the country. This initiative aims to enhance security on State and National Highways while ensuring the safety of commuters and pedestrians. The launch of SSF marks a historic milestone, as no previous government had taken such a proactive step toward road safety. It is a matter of immense pride for Punjab that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government is prioritizing the protection of human lives by implementing this life-saving measure.
With the introduction of SSF, Punjab has witnessed a remarkable reduction in road accident fatalities, significantly improving the overall road safety scenario. Unlike its predecessors, the current government has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to safeguarding every individual on the road. Recognizing the importance of every human life, the administration has taken a bold step that has already yielded positive results within a short span.

Deployment and Impact of SSF
The Sadak Surakhya Force is strategically deployed across 4,200 km of accident-prone highways, ensuring constant vigilance and swift response to emergencies. The force is composed of 1,597 specially trained personnel, including women, who form the backbone of this initiative. To enhance their operational efficiency, they have been equipped with 144 state-of-the-art, fully-equipped vehicles, allowing them to patrol highways, prevent traffic violations, and provide immediate assistance to accident victims.

SSF Saves 1,500 Lives in a Year
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned and spearheaded the launch of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF)—a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing road safety across the state. Officially introduced in January 2024, this dedicated force was established to ensure swift emergency response on Punjab’s roads and highways, significantly improving accident rescue operations and minimizing the time taken to transport victims to medical facilities.
One of the key responsibilities of the SSF is to serve as first responders at accident sites, ensuring that victims receive timely medical assistance, which is often crucial in saving lives. The impact of this initiative has been remarkable, with Punjab witnessing a 48% decline in road accident casualties since its implementation.
The SSF’s efficiency is further evident in its life-saving interventions, having already rescued and assisted over 1,500 accident victims within a year. The force operates with unmatched urgency, reaching accident sites within just five minutes to provide immediate aid and ensure seamless hospital transfers.
This groundbreaking initiative has set a new benchmark in road safety, reinforcing the Punjab government's commitment to protecting human lives and making the state's roads safer than ever before.

High-Tech SSF Fleet for 24/7 Highway Safety
A fleet of 144 state-of-the-art vehicles, including Toyota Hilux and Mahindra Scorpio, has been deployed at 30-kilometer intervals along highways to ensure continuous road monitoring. Each vehicle is manned by a team of four police personnel, led by a patrol in-charge of at least ASI rank, ensuring efficient oversight and rapid response.
Additionally, road interceptors have been stationed in every district, operated by three police officers per unit. These teams work 24/7 in eight-hour shifts, having undergone specialized training at the Police Training Academy in Kapurthala to enhance their efficiency in handling road safety operations.
The vehicles are equipped with advanced technology, including speed guns, breath analyzers (alcometers), e-challan machines, and AI-enabled smart systems to monitor and curb traffic violations. Furthermore, the fleet includes recovery vans and is integrated with a command and control center featuring real-time CCTV surveillance for enhanced monitoring.
To strengthen road safety operations, the initiative also involves expert teams comprising road crash investigators, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and IT professionals to manage technical assessments and accident analysis, ensuring a comprehensive and data-driven approach to traffic management and road safety.

A Game-Changer in Road Safety
The SSF is not just about accident prevention—it also plays a crucial role in road discipline enforcement. By acting as a deterrent against traffic violations, reckless driving, and over-speeding, the force contributes to overall road safety, making highways safer for everyone.
Additionally, one of the most commendable aspects of SSF is that it ensures that accident victims receive medical care without financial concerns. The force coordinates with nearby hospitals to provide emergency treatment, reducing the chances of fatalities due to delayed medical intervention.

A Progressive Step Towards Safer Roads
The launch of the Sadak Surakhya Force is a testament to the Punjab government's commitment to public welfare and road safety. This initiative reflects the government’s progressive vision, prioritizing human lives over everything else. Unlike past governments that overlooked the increasing number of road fatalities, the AAP-led government has taken a proactive and preventive approach to tackling the issue head-on.
Punjab’s SSF model could serve as an inspiration for other states, setting a benchmark for road safety initiatives across the country. The initiative reinforces the idea that with strong leadership, innovative strategies, and dedicated personnel, road accidents can be significantly reduced, ultimately saving countless lives.
With the Sadak Surakhya Force now in full force, Punjab is on its way to becoming a safer, more secure state for commuters and travelers alike—a proud achievement for both the government and the people of Punjab.

SSF Initiative Sets a National Benchmark in Road Safety
Several other states and even the Government of India has hailed this out of the box initiative of the state government. Thus, by setting new standards in road safety and emergency response, Punjab has demonstrated how innovative governance can lead to real-life impact, ultimately ensuring that every journey on the road is safer and lives are protected.

CM’S QUOTE
“I urge the people to become responsible citizens by following road safety rules as it is in larger public interest. Take a pledge for following the traffic rules so that their life can be saved. Every effort is being made to facilitate the people and no stone will be left unturned for this Nobel cause.”

Bhagwant Singh Mann, CM, Punjab