Chandigarh: Marking two years of the Punjab Government’s Road Safety Force (SSF), also known as Sadak Surakheya Force, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said the force has emerged as one of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s most impactful and people-centric initiatives, delivering tangible results on the state’s highways. He stated that since the launch of SSF, highway safety in Punjab has seen a remarkable transformation, with a sharp reduction in fatal accidents.
Pannu informed that in 2023, Punjab recorded 1,955 deaths in highway accidents, while in 2024 the figure dropped to 1,016. This translates into nearly 940 precious lives saved in just one year due to the SSF’s swift and professional response. He added that fatal accident cases have declined by almost 50 percent, reflecting a major improvement in road safety. About 1,500 specially trained SSF personnel are deployed full-time, with fully equipped vehicles stationed every 30 kilometres, enabling teams to reach accident sites within 6 to 8 minutes.
He further said that SSF vehicles are equipped with first-aid facilities, rescue equipment and cutters, allowing personnel to safely extract victims and provide immediate medical assistance before shifting them to hospitals. Pannu noted that the strong presence of SSF has also virtually eliminated post-accident looting and significantly reduced other highway crimes, especially at night. Calling SSF a “dream project” of CM Bhagwant Mann, he congratulated all personnel and support staff for their dedication, stating that saving human lives is the greatest achievement of governance.