Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Road accident deaths in Punjab drop to 48 % after launch of Sadak Surakhya Force: CM Mann
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 25, 2026:Punjab has recorded a remarkable improvement in road safety, with road accident deaths declining by 48 per cent following the constitution of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Sunday.
Once among the top three states in the country for road accident fatalities, Punjab has significantly reversed the trend through a system focused on swift emergency response, immediate first aid and improved trauma care.
Highlighting the success of the initiative, the Chief Minister said the SSF has played a crucial role in transforming accident-prone stretches, including the Sangrur–Patiala road, once notorious as a “killer road.”
He added that the model has drawn attention from several states and has even been referred to by the Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat as a roadmap for improving road safety nationwide.
“Punjab has witnessed a 48 per cent reduction in road accident deaths, and many states are now eager to replicate this unique model,” CM Mann said, adding that multiple state governments have approached Punjab to study and adopt the SSF framework.
The Chief Minister noted that a specially trained force of 1,597 newly recruited personnel, supported by 144 modern, fully equipped vehicles, forms the backbone of the SSF. Since its launch in February last year, the force has not only reduced fatalities but has also ensured the safe recovery and return of valuables and cash belonging to accident victims.
The SSF has been deployed along 4,200 kilometres of accident-prone highways, where it conducts regular patrolling and acts as a strong deterrent against traffic violations. CM Mann said previous governments had failed to address road safety with the required seriousness, which had led to Punjab’s earlier grim ranking.
“Today, accident victims receive immediate first aid and timely hospitalisation, which has saved countless lives,” he said, adding that the Sangrur–Patiala road, where nearly three people used to die daily, has now become significantly safer.
The Chief Minister also said the state government is constructing 43,000 kilometres of high-quality roads to connect villages with main highways, further strengthening Punjab’s road infrastructure and safety framework.