Bengaluru: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has recognised Karnataka State Police for “Emergency Response Category Initiative Effective Highway Patrolling System” as the best initiative in SMART Policing – 2018 and has been awarded the First Prize among the other national-level participants.

The initiative was guided by Director General and Inspector General of Police Neelamani N. Raju and the award ceremony was held in New Delhi on May 31 at FICCI Federation House.

Additional Director General of Police, Crime and Technical Services and Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety M.A. Saleem received the award from Vijay Goel, Union Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs and Statistics and Programme Implementation. Saleem had served as the Mysuru City Police Commissioner from 3.7.2013 to 29.4.2015.

At the same award ceremony, one more initiative “Transparent Recruitment Process” has been adjudged as the Best Initiative and was recognised with the Special Jury Award. Raghavendra Auradkar, Additional Director General of Police, Recruitment received the Award from Minister Vijay Goel. G.K. Pillai, Advisor, FICCI Committee on Homeland Security and former Union Home Secretary, Govt. of India was present.

Karnataka has a good road network. There are 14 National Highways and 114 State Highways with a total length of 28,311 km. In the event of an accident, efforts to save the injured should be the priority.

In Karnataka, specialised Police personnel who man highway patrolling have shown their effective work by immediately reaching accident spots and have rescued many victims. At present, over 133 highly sophisticated and well-equipped highway patrol vehicles with sufficient staff manning them are effectively operating across the State and are making every effort to save the lives of accident victims.

The quick reaction by these patrolling vehicles has been widely appreciated by the public. These teams have contributed in sharp decline of fatalities.