Road accidents remain one of the leading causes of sudden death in India. In Punjab as well, thousands of families have suffered irreversible loss simply because medical help failed to arrive in time. To bridge this critical gap between accidents and emergency care, the Punjab government has rolled out a dedicated road safety initiative — the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF).
The specialised force has been created with a clear objective: ensuring that accident victims receive medical assistance within the crucial “golden hour”, when timely treatment can mean the difference between life and death.
When was SSF launched?
The Sadak Surakhya Force was launched by the Punjab government in 2024 as a dedicated emergency response mechanism for road accidents. Unlike conventional police or ambulance services, SSF focuses exclusively on highway and road emergencies, with trained personnel and fully equipped vehicles deployed across key routes in the state.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann described the initiative as a people-oriented step aimed at reducing preventable deaths caused by delays in medical response.
Strength and deployment
SSF functions as a professionally trained unit comprising thousands of personnel and hundreds of specialised vehicles. Its fleet includes advanced life support ambulances, trauma care vans and quick response vehicles.
These units are strategically positioned along national highways, state roads, accident-prone stretches and busy traffic corridors to ensure rapid response. Each team includes trained drivers, paramedics and emergency responders equipped to handle trauma, severe bleeding, fractures and cardiac emergencies at the site of an accident.
Lives saved so far
Since its launch, the Sadak Surakhya Force has attended to thousands of road accident cases across Punjab. Official data shows that the force has already saved thousands of lives by providing immediate first aid, on-site trauma care and swift transport to the nearest hospital.
Earlier, many victims succumbed to injuries due to delayed assistance. With SSF cutting response times significantly, that situation has begun to change.
Voices from the field
An SSF emergency responder said that conditions on highways have improved dramatically since the force became operational.
“Earlier, people were often left waiting helplessly after accidents. Now, once we receive a call, we reach the spot within minutes, control bleeding, provide oxygen, stabilise the patient and shift them to hospital. Reaching during the golden hour has saved many lives,” the responder said.
How the system works
SSF operates through a centralised control system. Upon receiving an alert, the nearest unit is dispatched immediately. GPS-enabled vehicles ensure quick navigation, while teams provide on-the-spot stabilisation before transporting the injured to the most appropriate medical facility.
This has not only improved survival rates but also reduced the burden on police and regular ambulance services.
Chief Minister’s message
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has consistently stressed that no life should be lost due to delayed medical care. Speaking about the initiative, he said the Sadak Surakhya Force reflects the government’s commitment to public safety.
“Every life is valuable. The Sadak Surakhya Force was created to ensure that no family in Punjab loses a loved one because help arrived too late,” Mann has said.
A people-first initiative
More than just a government unit, the Sadak Surakhya Force has emerged as a lifeline for road users across Punjab — from truck drivers and daily commuters to families travelling long distances.
With trained manpower, modern emergency vehicles and a robust response network, Punjab has put in place one of the country’s most structured road accident response systems. The initiative underlines a simple message: building roads is important, but protecting the people who use them matters even more.