VEERA: A step towards reducing fatalities in accidents, says Chennai Police

CHENNAI: Greater Chennai Police which has added an accident victims rescue vehicle - VEERA, to its cavalry claimed that this is the first time in the country such a concept has been adopted by a police force to save victims caught in mangled cars after a crash.

Though only one vehicle is in use, police officials expressed hope that their pilot project goes mainstream, not only in the state, but across the country.

VEERA (Vehicle for Extrication in Emergency Rescue and Accidents) is a pilot project on extrication of road accident victims from crashed/mangled vehicles with all necessary equipments for rescuing trapped victims by a team of well-trained police personnel.

This initiative is a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) project in collaboration with Hyundai Glovis and Isuzu Motors Pvt. Ltd.

On Tuesday, a demonstration was held by the trained personnel at the City Police Commissioner's office, where the metal doors of a car was sawed off in quick time with the help of the tools. The vehicle is equipped with Spreader, Electric winch, Circular saw (to cut wood), pneumatic lifting bags among other tools.

"For now, VEERA will be engaged in Tambaram and Avadi City police limits too, apart from Chennai City. In future, we hope to engage this along National Highways after the project expands, " said Sandeep Rai Rathore, Commissioner, Greater Chennai Police.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), R Sudhakar pointed out that this year, as on September 11, 341 fatal accidents were reported in the city, which is 20 less in comparison to the same period last year.

"Fatal accidents are in a decreasing trend in the city, which is a healthy sign and all our efforts are towards that, " the additional commissioner said.

In the coming days, the City Police will be holding discussions with IIT-M and Highways department to expand the scope of the project.