Punjab Government Aims to Halve Road Accident Fatalities by 2025; Launches New Initiatives

Punjab Government Aims to Halve Road Accident Fatalities by 2025; Launches New Initiatives

Chandigarh, August 20: Punjab’s Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar have announced ambitious plans to reduce the state’s road accident mortality rate by 50% by 2025. This goal will be achieved through a series of proactive measures and enhanced emergency response initiatives.

At a one-day workshop on “Emergency Care and Schemes for Road Accident Victims in Punjab,” held by the Punjab Road Safety Council at MGSIPA, the Ministers outlined their strategic approach. The workshop underscored the government’s commitment to improving emergency care and leveraging schemes like ‘Farishtey Scheme’ and ‘Sadak Surakhiya Force,’ along with introducing a new fleet of ambulances to strengthen the health department’s response capabilities.

Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted that the state has already seen a 45% reduction in road accident fatalities since the launch of the Sadak Surakhiya Force. He urged district officials to treat life-saving efforts as a mission and stressed the importance of the Farishtey Scheme, which provides free medical treatment for road accident victims at over 500 empaneled hospitals. The Minister called for increased awareness and NGO involvement to maximize the scheme’s reach.

Emphasizing the need for ongoing data collection, Dr. Singh requested the Director General of Punjab State Road Safety Council and the ADGP of Punjab Traffic Police to gather detailed statistics on road accidents to refine future strategies. He also called for regular training for the Sadak Surakhiya Force and urged officials to ensure that all government vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits.

Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar emphasized the need to move beyond the “Golden Hours” concept to what he termed “Platinum Times,” focusing on comprehensive and rapid emergency care. He highlighted the importance of consistent updates from regional officials to address challenges effectively and ensure the availability of essential resources.

In a poignant moment, the workshop observed a two-minute silence for the victim of a recent tragic incident in Kolkata. Dr. Balbir Singh condemned the incident and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding healthcare professionals, especially female staff.

The workshop featured presentations on various aspects of emergency care and road safety, including updates on the Farishtey Scheme and compensation mechanisms for hit-and-run accidents. Attendees included senior officials, district officers, and NGO representatives.

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