Chief Minister Flags Off 27 Police Motorcycles to Enhance Road Safety in Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off a fleet of 27 police motorcycles aimed at boosting road safety measures in Himachal Pradesh. The event took place at his official residence, Oak Over, where the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment to improving traffic safety.
Out of the 27 motorcycles, 14 will be assigned to the Kangra district police and 13 to the Mandi district police, enhancing their capabilities to monitor and manage road safety more effectively. This initiative is part of a larger effort to strengthen the police forces across the state, with plans to introduce additional vehicles, including 42 four-wheelers, 14 interceptor vehicles, and 10 wrecker vehicles for rescue operations in districts such as Shimla, Nurpur, Mandi, and Kangra.
A significant investment of Rs. 90 crore has been allocated to purchase 3,373 road safety equipment pieces for these districts. To date, more than 1,200 units have been distributed at a cost of Rs. 5.71 crore. In an effort to integrate advanced technology with road safety, the state has earmarked Rs. 60 crore for the establishment of an integrated road safety enforcement system in Shimla, which will incorporate over 450 artificial intelligence-based speed and surveillance cameras in Shimla, Kangra, and Mandi districts. This will enable a more digitized approach to monitoring traffic regulations.
Additionally, the state has prepared a Mass Action Plan to enhance safety on 20% of the most accident-prone roads in Shimla, with an estimated budget of Rs. 34.66 crore. This collaborative effort between the Public Works Department and other agencies aims to ensure better infrastructure and safer roads for the public.
To raise awareness about road safety, the state government has initiated a Good Samaritan Law awareness program in seven districts, training over 300 police and home guard personnel in life-saving techniques. More than 200 police officers have also undergone specialized training in traffic safety enforcement and accident investigation.
In a pioneering move, an International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) survey was conducted on approximately 7,500 kilometers of roads in the state. The survey helped assess road safety standards and has led to the formulation of a 10-year Safe Road Investment Plan, which is expected to involve a total investment of Rs. 3,200 crore from multiple departments.
The state government’s initiatives appear to be bearing fruit, with a noticeable decline in road accidents and fatalities over the past two years. According to the latest statistics, road accidents in Himachal Pradesh dropped by 6.48% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with accidents decreasing from 2,253 in 2023 to 2,107 in 2024. The fatality rate has also improved, with 892 deaths recorded in 2023, reducing to 806 in 2024.
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation Surender Chauhan, ACS KK Pant, DGP Atul Verma, and other senior officials were also present at the event, reinforcing the collaborative efforts being made to ensure road safety across the state.
This comprehensive approach to road safety is expected to make a significant impact, reducing accidents and improving traffic management in Himachal Pradesh.
