Faridkot, Punjab – August 15, 2025 – During the Independence Day celebrations in Faridkot, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hoisted the national flag and unveiled a series of achievements and upcoming initiatives aimed at transforming the state’s infrastructure, safety, and education.
Road Safety Achievements
Highlighting a significant improvement in public safety, CM Bhagwant Mann announced that Punjab has recorded a 48% decline in accidental deaths. He attributed this remarkable drop to the induction of 5,000 new police personnel dedicated to enforcing traffic laws and ensuring road discipline. The initiative, he noted, has even drawn praise from Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
Welfare for Soldiers and Police Families
In a move to honor and support those who serve, the CM Bhagwant Mann reiterated Punjab’s commitment as the first state to provide ₹1 crore in financial aid to the family of any martyred soldier from the state. Punjab Police officers who lose their lives in the line of duty will receive ₹2 crore—₹1 crore from the government and another ₹1 crore from their bank’s insurance benefits.
Massive Road Network Expansion
The Punjab government has approved a 19,000-km road network development plan. Work on this massive infrastructure upgrade will commence immediately after the monsoon season, aimed at improving connectivity across urban and rural regions.
Rural Transformation Drive
Under the Punjab Rural Transformation Fellowship Scheme, 154 youth fellows will be appointed to support the execution of various development projects. The government has also initiated a plan to clean all polluted ponds in villages, improving sanitation, water quality, and the environment in rural communities.
Education Reforms and Anti-Drug Curriculum
To strengthen the education system, CM Mann announced:
- Regular Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) in government schools.
- Deployment of campus managers to improve school administration.
- Installation of CCTV cameras for enhanced safety.
- Introduction of a special curriculum for Class XI and XII students in 368 government schools, focusing on a “war against drugs” to raise awareness among youth.
Boost to Law Enforcement and Anti-Drug Efforts
The CM revealed that 1,600 new police posts have been created to resolve promotion backlogs and reinforce the force’s strength.
A reward policy has also been rolled out under the NDPS Act—officers recovering more than 1 kg of heroin will be awarded ₹1.20 lakh as an incentive to intensify the fight against drug trafficking.
Key Takeaways:
- 48% reduction in accidental deaths due to stronger policing.
- ₹1–2 crore aid for families of martyred soldiers and police officers.
- 19,000-km road network approved; work starts post-monsoon.
- Village ponds cleanup and 154 rural fellows for development projects.
- Anti-drug curriculum in senior schools and expanded CCTV coverage.
- 1,600 new police posts and NDPS recovery reward policy in force.
With these initiatives, CM Bhagwant Mann emphasized that Punjab is moving towards a safer, better-connected, and more progressive future.