Shimla, August 4 (HS). Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday flagged off 25 patrolling motorcycles of high visibility capability for Shimla and Nurpur police district from Chaura Maidan, Shimla in view of smooth traffic movement and road safety.
He said that several innovative steps have been taken to improve road safety in Himachal Pradesh. During the first phase, 19 patrolling motorcycles have been provided to Shimla and six to Nurpur police district at a cost of about Rs 3.72 crore. 30 handheld speed guns, 10 body worn cameras, 18 alco sensors, 30 vehicle operated speed signs, 80 expandable barriers, 225 reflective jackets, 115 rechargeable batons, 200 traffic cones, 70 interlocking plastic barricades and 30 search lights have been provided to the police in Shimla district. Similarly, road safety equipment will be provided in Kangra and Mandi districts.
He said the government is procuring various types of equipment at a cost of Rs 27 crore to improve the capacity of police in traffic enforcement, surveillance, rescue and emergency response to road accidents. The equipment includes 42 four-wheelers for Shimla, Kangra and Mandi for highway patrolling and 27 two-wheelers for Kangra and Mandi, 14 interceptor vehicles for area enforcement, rake vehicles for rescue operations and various equipment including handheld speed guns, hydraulic tools for rescue operations, emergency bags, vehicle operated speed signs. The procurement of these equipment will be completed before March, 2025 and these will be distributed to police stations in Shimla, Kangra and Mandi districts.
The Chief Minister said that an investment of about Rs 90 crore is being made to purchase various patrolling, monitoring, rescue and emergency response equipment for the police. An investment of about Rs 61.57 crore is being made to set up an integrated road safety enforcement system in Shimla. This system will be connected to 532 cameras equipped with AI facility at 214 identified locations on various roads in Shimla, Kangra, Mandi districts.