By Tony Mathew, Head of Operation & Delivery, TRL
When we began our road safety journey with Himachal Pradesh (The Northern Mountain state of India with a population of over 7.5 million) nearly a decade ago, our shared vision was clear: to save lives by modernising how crashes are prevented, analysed, and responded to. This vision recently took another important step forward, one that fills me with pride, gratitude, and renewed commitment.
A New Chapter in Himachal’s Road Safety Transformation
During a ceremony in November, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh flagged off a newly equipped fleet of vehicles that will significantly strengthen the State’s capability to enforce traffic laws and respond swiftly to crash incidents.
This fleet includes:
– 42 Electric Patrol Vehicles; enabling clean, efficient, and modern highway enforcement
– 14 Interceptor Vehicles; equipped with advanced surveillance and enforcement technologies
– 10 Wrecker Vehicles; designed to support faster rescue, clearance, and post-crash response
These vehicles are part of the World Bank–funded Himachal Pradesh Road Safety Advisory Services Project, delivered by TRL for HPRIDCL (Himachal Pradesh Road and Infrastructure Development Corporation), where our teams have been supporting the Police in both enforcement modernisation and post-crash system strengthening.
From Data to Delivery: Our Evolving Partnership with Himachal
Our collaboration with Himachal started in 2016 with the implementation of TRL’s iMAAP software, India’s first successfully adopted crash data management system. What began as a data-driven initiative has now grown into a statewide Safe System–based transformation.
Through this programme, we’ve been working to:
– Build strong institutional capacity for road safety
– Deploy AI-enabled enforcement systems
– Modernise police response and investigation processes
– Guide a systemic shift towards a sustainable Safe System approach
Leadership That Makes Change Possible
Progress like this is achieved only when leadership, vision, and strong execution come together. Special thanks go to Pawan Kumar Sharma and the HPRIDCL team, the Himachal Pradesh Police, and the World Bank for their invaluable contributions. A special mention is owed to Sanjay Kundu, former Director General of Police, whose unwavering vision has played a pivotal role in making Himachal Pradesh one of the few Indian states to see a consistent decline in road fatalities and injuries. Appreciation is also due to colleague Shabeer Mohammad and the entire TRL team for leading this effort from the front.
A Vision for Green, Smart, People-Centric Policing
Following this main step forward in Road Safety, it was fantastic to hear the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu say:
“Himachal Police is now stepping in a new direction. Our police will serve the public equipped with green energy and modern technology. We are heading towards making Himachal the first ‘green and smart police’ of the country. This step will not only protect the environment but also strengthen police efficiency and public safety.”
Moving Forward Together
For me, based in Kerala, in the southwest corner of India yet closely connected to this journey, this milestone is more than a project update, it is a testament to what long-term collaboration, evidence-based planning, and shared purpose can achieve.
Himachal Pradesh is proving that a safer future is possible, and TRL is honoured to walk this path alongside them.
Here’s to the next chapter in building a road network that protects every life that travels through it.
To find out more on TRL’s work in Himachal Pradesh click here or drop me a line at tmathew@trl.co.uk to discuss how TRL can help your road network and arrange a demonstration.
