by Satyajit Roy, SecuritySkillsWorld.com

The ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ (Safe India Campaign) is a national initiative aimed at ensuring the safety and security of citizens across various sectors, including transportation, public amenities, and tourism. Simultaneously, the ‘Humsafar Policy,’ unveiled by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, 8^th October 2024, aims to onboard service providers for developing wayside amenities along India’s National Highways. This policy ensures that road travel is safer, more comfortable and better serviced for millions of travelers, including tourists.

This paper explores how the convergence and collaboration of the ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ and the ‘Humsafar Policy’ can align objectives and amplify the benefits of both national initiatives, especially in the context of improving national security and loss prevention alongside road safety and tourism infrastructure in India.

Objectives of ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’

The ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ seeks to create a safe, secure and resilient environment in key sectors such as public safety, infrastructure, and tourism; with the objective of enhancing national safety and loss prevention as a tool to expand our GDP. The primary objectives include:

• Ensuring public safety, security and loss prevention through proper surveillance, disaster preparedness and emergency response systems.
• Enhancing community participation in SBA by involving stakeholders like military veterans, local law enforcement and civilians in coordinated safety efforts.
• Promoting the security and loss prevention of tourists and travelers by integrating safety protocols into tourism infrastructure, public transport systems and recreational spaces.
• Establishing a culture of safety, security and loss prevention awareness through nationwide campaigns, training programs and technological innovations.

Objectives of the ‘Humsafar Policy’

The ‘Humsafar Policy,’ as part of the government’s broader plan for infrastructure development along National Highways, aims to:

• Develop well-equipped and accessible wayside amenities for travelers across highways, improving comfort, safety and convenience.
• Onboard service providers to establish facilities such as rest stops, restaurants, toilets, medical aid, parking spaces and petrol pumps.
• Enhance road safety, security and loss prevention by providing safe resting spaces, reducing the risk of accidents due to fatigue.
• Support tourism by improving the quality of services available to travelers, both domestic and international by way of implementing a collective public culture of ‘safety and loss prevention consciousness’ amongst all. 

Opportunities for Convergence and Collaboration

There is a strong alignment between the objectives of the ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ and the ‘Humsafar Policy,’ particularly in the areas of road safety, traveler security and improving the overall tourism experience. By combining the strengths of both initiatives, India can significantly enhance its road infrastructure and ensure the safety of millions of travelers by implementing the ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ within the S&LP Framework aimed at expanding India’s GDP achieving ‘Gross Domestic Loss Prevention’ objectives.

Key Areas of Convergence

• Safety and Security Infrastructure. The ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ can work in tandem with the ‘Humsafar Policy’ to ensure that all wayside amenities are equipped with surveillance systems, emergency services, and disaster response capabilities. This will create a secure environment for travelers, reducing risks such as road accidents, theft or medical emergencies; which would eventually prevent losses to national GDP.
• Tourism Promotion and Traveler Safety. By integrating safety protocols from the ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ into the tourism sector, especially along highways, both domestic and international tourists can be assured of a secure travel experience. Security-trained staff at wayside amenities, veteran-led safety patrols and regular safety drills will enhance tourist confidence and promote responsible tourism.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response. Both initiatives can collaborate on setting up emergency response units along highways. Medical facilities, first aid stations and rapid response teams can be part of wayside amenities under the ‘Humsafar Policy,’ supported by the larger safety framework of ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan.’ This convergence can save lives by providing immediate aid in case of accidents or disasters.
• Veteran Involvement. Veterans, through the ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan,’ can be on-boarded as security personnel, trainers and first responders at wayside amenities, ensuring discipline and safety protocols are followed. Their involvement will strengthen the safety infrastructure along highways and ensure consistent safety enforcement at rest stops, petrol pumps and other critical service areas.
• Technology and Surveillance Integration. Both initiatives can collaborate to deploy surveillance technology such as CCTV cameras and automated emergency alert systems, at wayside amenities. This will ensure continuous monitoring of high-traffic areas and improve response times during emergencies, contributing to a safer and more secure road network.

Benefits of Collaboration

• Enhanced Road Safety. By combining the road safety focus of the ‘Humsafar Policy’ with the security measures of ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan,’ India can achieve a significant reduction in road accidents and crime rates along highways.
• Improved Traveler Experience. Travelers, including tourists, will benefit from better facilities and heightened safety measures. This will encourage more people to travel by road and boost tourism across the country.
• Increased Tourism Revenue. With safer highways and better amenities, tourism in India can experience a substantial boost. International tourists, especially, will feel more secure traveling long distances by road, contributing to higher tourist inflows and economic growth.
• Veteran Employment and National Service. The involvement of military veterans as safety enforcers and first responders at wayside amenities will provide meaningful employment opportunities while enhancing the safety net along highways.
• Sustainable Development. A secure and well-maintained infrastructure promotes sustainable travel and development, contributing to India’s broader goals of economic and social progress.

Implementation Strategy

• Joint Task Force. A collaborative task force involving representatives from both the ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways can be formed to oversee the integration of safety measures into wayside amenities.
• Pilot Projects. Initiate pilot projects at key highways, especially those frequented by tourists, to demonstrate the impact of enhanced safety and amenities on traveler experience and road safety.
• Training Programs. Veterans and service providers at wayside amenities should undergo specialized training in security management, disaster response and first aid, ensuring preparedness for any emergencies.
• Public Awareness Campaigns. Joint awareness campaigns can be launched to educate travelers about the safety measures in place and the importance of using wayside amenities to rest and refresh, thereby reducing fatigue-related accidents.

The convergence of the ‘Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan’ and the ‘Humsafar Policy’ presents a unique opportunity to improve road safety and boost tourism infrastructure across India. Through collaboration, both initiatives can achieve their objectives, ensuring that India’s highways are not only well-equipped with amenities but are also secure and prepared for any emergencies. The integration of military veterans, technological advancements, and a strong safety culture will lead to a successful and sustainable national campaign, making India’s highways a model for road safety and traveler satisfaction