Punjab Government's SSF Saves 37,000 Lives, Reducing Road Accidents by 78%
This is a story of Punjab’s roads, where once fear and uncertainty reigned supreme. Every day, newspaper headlines would narrate the painful tales of road accidents. The rising number of accidents had become a matter of deep concern, with 15 to 16 precious lives lost daily. This statistic wasn’t just a number; it represented broken dreams and grieving families. Sensing this pain, the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab took a revolutionary step. They launched two major initiatives: the Road Safety Force (SSF) and the ‘Farishatey’ (Angels) Scheme. These two schemes, working hand-in-hand, have committed to making Punjab’s roads safer by approaching the problem with humanity and trust.
The Mann government made Punjab the first state in the country to form a dedicated force for road safety. Launched in 2024, the SSF’s impact has been massive in less than a year. Today, SSF teams are deployed every 30 kilometers on Punjab’s 4,100-kilometer-long roads. Equipped with 144 high-tech vehicles, these teams reach accident sites within 5 to 7 minutes. The 1,477-strong team’s primary role is to prevent road accidents, but they also assist the police in combating drug trafficking and other crimes.
SSF has saved approximately 37,110 lives
The force is fully integrated with technology. It utilizes speed guns, body cameras, e-challan systems, and AI. These tools help the SSF police efficiently and quickly. “In 2024, the SSF ensured that children traveling to or from school in the areas it deployed remained safe from road accidents. So far, the SSF has saved approximately 37,110 lives and reduced road accidents by 45.55% from February to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023This achievement is a testament to the Road Safety Force.
While the SSF prevents accidents, the ‘Farishatey’ (Angels) scheme, launched by the Punjab government in 2024, addresses the tragic aftermath. “Bystanders, fearing police involvement, avoided helping, leaving injured people helpless on the roads—a painful sight.To eliminate this fear, the Mann government launched the ‘Farishatey’ scheme. The goal is to save lives by providing free, immediate, and complete hospital treatment for anyone injured in a road accident. The government refers to anyone who takes an accident victim to the hospital as a ‘Farishata’ (Angel). The organizers award them a cash prize of ₹2,000 and a certificate of appreciation. The best part is that the police will not question the person helping, nor will the hospitalThis policy encourages more people to step forward and help without fear.
287 women now part of the Road Safety Force
Together, the SSF and the ‘Farishatey’ scheme create a complete safety cycle. The SSF provides a sense of security. The ‘Farishatey’ scheme reminds us that we can make society better by working together. The Mann government has also promoted women’s participation, with 287 women now part of the SSF. This shows that the government doesn’t just talk; it brings about real change. This is true empowerment and true Punjabiyat.
The Mann governmenthas proven that the purpose of a government is not just to make rules but to care for its people’s lives. \This goes beyond a government initiative. It’s a social revolution that is raising public awareness. It teaches responsibility and inspires people to become ‘angels’ on this journey of humanity. The Punjab government truly deserves commendation. These two schemes go beyond government projects; they connect deeply with our lives and emotions. The SSF provides us with ‘security,’ while the ‘Farishatey’ scheme teaches us to build relationships of ‘love’ and ‘trust’ with one another The Mann government has reduced the fear of death on Punjab’s roads and taught people to embrace life.
