- Chief Minister flagged off 508 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) in Sangrur
- 327.70 crore has been spent on police vehicles over the past four years
Punjab Newsline | Sangrur
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday (31 March) announced that police assistance will now be available within six minutes across the state, bringing Punjab at par with developed regions like the US and Europe. The announcement came as the Chief Minister flagged off 508 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) in Sangrur, significantly strengthening ground-level policing across the state.
Equipped with modern technology, these vehicles have been deployed across all 28 police districts under the Dial-112 service, ensuring immediate response to distress calls. The initiative marks a major leap towards faster, technology-driven law enforcement in Punjab.
Highlighting investments in police modernization, Mann said that ₹327.70 crore has been spent on police vehicles over the past four years. He emphasized that strengthening the police force has not only improved law and order but also tightened the crackdown on drug traffickers. Improved security, he added, has boosted investor confidence, evident from major investments like Tata Steel setting up its second-largest plant in Punjab.
Those responsible for destroying generations do not deserve any leniency : CM
Addressing a public gathering in Sangrur, Mann made a strong appeal for the social boycott of those involved in the drug trade. He termed drug trafficking a heinous crime and said those responsible for destroying generations do not deserve any leniency. “Such elements must be taught a lesson, and social boycott can act as a catalyst in making Punjab drug-free,” he said.
Speaking on the government’s strict action against drugs, Mann claimed that the conviction rate in drug-related cases has reached 87%, one of the highest in the country. He described the ongoing campaign ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) as the biggest crackdown ever, which has dismantled supply chains and put major traffickers behind bars.
Emphasizing a people-driven approach, the Chief Minister said the campaign is being transformed into a mass movement with active public participation. He asserted that unlike previous governments, the current administration is ensuring strict action against drug networks. “Our fight is to protect the youth of Punjab, and it will continue relentlessly,” he said, describing drugs as a form of “narco-terrorism.”
Linking law and order to economic growth, he said that investment is the best indicator of a state’s stability. “The fact that Tata Steel has set up its second-largest plant in Punjab reflects growing investor trust,” he noted, adding that Punjab is among the safest states, with credit going to the police for bridging the gap between the force and citizens.
On road safety, Mann said the Punjab government has launched the country’s first dedicated Road Safety Force to ensure highway safety and save lives. With 1,597 trained personnel and 144 modern vehicles, the force has reportedly reduced road accident fatalities by 48% since its inception. Deployed across 4,200 km of accident-prone highways, the force not only patrols but also acts as a deterrent against traffic violations a move also appreciated by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Detailing the police modernization drive, the Chief Minister said 508 new Bolero vehicles have been added under the Emergency Response Vehicle initiative and dedicated to public service through Dial-112. With this addition, the total fleet under Dial-112 has increased to 764 vehicles, all equipped with advanced technology to ensure quick and efficient response.