In a determined bid to make Punjab’s roads safer and significantly reduce the grim toll of road accidents, the Bhagwant Mann led State Government has launched an aggressive campaign aimed at slashing the state’s road accident mortality rate by 50 percent by 2025. The ambitious goal was highlighted during a one-day workshop on “Emergency Care and Schemes for Road Accident Victims in Punjab”, held at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Chandigarh on August 20.

Mission to Save Lives: From Golden Hours to Platinum Times

Addressing the gathering, Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar underscored the Government’s unwavering commitment to road safety. Dr Balbir Singh emphasized that saving lives in the aftermath of road accidents should be treated as a mission by all district administrations. He lauded the recent initiatives, including the ‘Farishtey Scheme’, the formation of ‘Sadak Surakhiya Force’, and the induction of a new fleet of ambulances into the state’s Health Department, as crucial steps toward achieving this life-saving objective.

“After the establishment of the Sadak Surakhiya Force, we have already witnessed a 45 percent decrease in road accident mortality compared to the previous year,” Dr Balbir announced, highlighting the tangible impact of these measures. He also called on the people of Punjab to participate actively in the Farishtey Scheme, which has seen over 500 hospitals, both government and private, empaneled to provide free, comprehensive treatment to road accident victims.

Echoing these sentiments, the state Transport Minister Bhullar urged a shift in focus from the ‘Golden Hours’ — the critical period immediately following a road accident — to what he termed ‘Platinum Times’, a concept emphasizing the need for rapid and efficient emergency response. “By moving beyond the golden hours, we aim to provide the highest level of care as quickly as possible, ensuring that every minute counts in saving lives,” Bhullar stated.

District Administrations on High Alert

Both Ministers called on district officials to treat the reduction of road accident fatalities as a mission, urging them to enforce traffic laws strictly and ensure that all government vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits. They also directed the Director General of the Punjab State Road Safety Council and the ADGP of Punjab Traffic Police to compile detailed data on road accident mortality, including incidents involving vehicles, hit-and-run cases, and stray animals. This data, they said, will be instrumental in formulating strategies to further reduce mortality rates.

In a poignant moment during the workshop, participants observed two minutes of silence in memory of a recent victim of rape and murder in Kolkata, underscoring the Government's broader commitment to ensuring the safety of all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as female healthcare workers.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Strategies

The workshop also featured presentations from various experts, including a team of doctors from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on the “Essentials of Emergency Care”, and representatives from the State Health Authority on the implementation of the Farishtey Scheme. Smriti Dhir from the Punjab State Legal Services Authority and Madhulika Bhaskar from the General Insurance Council, Mumbai, provided insights into the “Compensation of Hit and Run Motor Accident Scheme” and the “Transfer of Compensation under Hit and Run Scheme”, respectively.

Director General of the Lead Agency R Venkat Ratnam emphasized the importance of improving emergency care, ambulance systems, and trauma care to reduce road accident mortality by up to 30 percent. He also encouraged district officials to recognize and honour Good Samaritans who help accident victims, further fostering a culture of community responsibility and care.

As the workshop concluded, participants were provided with first aid kits and posters promoting road safety rules. The event also saw the release of new informational posters on road safety, underscoring the government's commitment to widespread public education and awareness as a key component of its road safety strategy.