Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flagged off 66 new patrol vehicles from Shimla on Tuesday, part of a major effort to enhance road safety in the state.
The new fleet, purchased for Rs. 18.42 crore, includes 35 electric vehicles, 14 interceptors, 10 wreckers, and 7 diesel vehicles. They will be deployed at various police stations across 10 districts, including Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, and Solan.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Minister said the government’s objective is not just to reduce accidents but to build a safe and resilient transport system. He noted that road accidents have seen a consistent decline in the state over the past three years.
He attributed this positive trend to the joint efforts of the police, transport, and public works departments. He added that the new wrecker vehicles, in particular, will help restore traffic quickly by promptly removing vehicles involved in accidents.
Sukhu also announced plans for a state-of-the-art road safety control and command center in Hamirpur. This Rs. 30 crore project will be part of an integrated system connected to modern cameras across the state, allowing police to use it for e-challans and advanced traffic monitoring.
The Chief Minister highlighted that under the Himachal Pradesh State Road Transformation Project, Rs. 60 crore is being spent to purchase 3,373 road safety devices for the police.
“The police department will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to make Himachal Pradesh Police number one in the country,” Sukhu said. He also mentioned the recent recruitment of 1,200 constables and the resumption of police promotion tests after an eight-year gap.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, and other officials were present at the event.
