Punjab Police and Hartek Foundation Launch Groundbreaking Initiative for Gender-Responsive Road Safety

Mumbai: In a significant step towards creating safer and more accessible public spaces, the Traffic and Road Safety Wing of Punjab Police has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hartek Foundation. The partnership aims to advance road safety through a gender-responsive and data-driven approach, marking a new era in inclusive mobility.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

• Gender-Responsive Road Safety: The partnership will focus on collecting and utilizing sex- and age-disaggregated data to address gender disparities in transport infrastructure.
• Research and Development: The collaboration will support R&D on enhancing the visibility and safety of traffic officials using solar-powered infrastructure, such as traffic aid posts and solar helmets.
• Women’s Participation: The initiative envisions increasing women’s participation in decision-making and operational roles in transport and public safety sectors.

SAAHAS Fellowship: A Trailblazing Initiative

The first initiative under this MoU is the launch of the Punjab Police–Hartek Foundation Fellowship “SAAHAS” (Safe Access and Advancement for Her through Awareness and Sustainability). This pioneering fellowship, implemented through the Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre, will support research, innovation, and on-ground interventions promoting gender-equitable mobility solutions.

Quotes from Key Stakeholders:

• A.S. Rai, IPS, ADGP (Traffic and Road Safety), Punjab, said, “The SAAHAS Fellowship is a bold step toward building inclusive and sustainable road safety systems.”
• Harkirat Kaur, CEO, Hartek Foundation, added, “This fellowship reflects our deep alignment with Punjab Police in promoting equity, safety, and sustainability for all.”
• Gaurav Yadav, IPS, Director General of Police, Punjab, emphasized, “Bringing gender inclusiveness into policing, particularly traffic and road safety, is a core priority.”

A New Era in Road Safety

The MoU and the launch of the SAAHAS Fellowship mark the beginning of a transformative journey, with many more progressive and inclusive initiatives expected to follow. This partnership has the potential to reshape the future of mobility in Punjab, promoting safer, more accessible, and sustainable transportation systems for all.