Kia Carens Is Challenging Maruti Ertiga As A Police Car: After Punjab, Goa Police Get Carens MPVs
To help improve the safety of the state, Goa Police has added a brand-new fleet of Kia Carens PCR (Police Control Room) vehicles. Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, flagged off the new Kia Carens fleet in the presence of senior police officials and other staff. Prior to this, last year, Punjab Police also added 71 new Kia Carens to their fleet to serve as Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs).
Goa CM flags off new Kia Carens PCR fleet
The images showing the flagging-off ceremony of the newly added Kia Carens fleet in Goa have been shared on X by Dr. Pramod Sawant on his page. In the first image, the Chief Minister of Goa is seen waving a green flag in front of two Kia Carens with police lights on top. The minister stands on a small podium and is accompanied by other senior police officials and bureaucrats.
He is also seen making a “Tilak” on the bonnet of one of the Carens. For those who may not be aware, it is a Hindu ritual in which a “Swastika” is made on the vehicle for blessings of Hindu gods and goddesses. Following this, the images show the Kia Carens parked one after the other. In the last picture, the Chief Minister is seen clapping after the vehicles are flagged off.
Goa Police’s new Kia Carens fleet
According to the post, these new Kia Carens PCR (Police Control Room) vehicles will increase the operational capacity of Goa Police under the ERSS-112 systems. These PCR vehicles will be deployed in the areas of Mandrem, Mopa, Valpoo, Cuncolim, and Canacona across Goa to strengthen the state’s emergency response.
From the images, it seems like the only changes on the outside are the addition of strobe lights on top of the vehicle and decals on the sides. Most likely, communication equipment has been added inside these vehicles for direct reporting to the Police Control Room.
Punjab Police added 71 Kia Carens to its fleet
Last year, on February 14, the Punjab Police, under its fleet modernization initiative, added 71 brand-new Kia Carens MPVs to its fleet. These vehicles have been designed as Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and have been customized by the Police Department.
They have been fitted with high-intensity strobe lights, sirens, and “Dial 112 - Emergency Response Vehicle” decals on the sides. An integrated communication system for direct coordination between vehicles and control rooms has been added as well. Additionally, these ERVs also get installations like laptops, medical kits, and other mission-specific tools.
Powering the Kia Carens ERVs is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. These vehicles have also been fitted with 60Ah batteries to handle the power requirements of added emergency response equipment.
Apart from the Kia Carens, during the same time, Punjab Police also formed a new Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF). To equip this new force, the Punjab Police added a total of 121 units of Toyota Hilux for patrolling purposes throughout the state. Each of these Hiluxes is positioned at 30 km intervals across the state, and 1,500 SSF officers have been deployed for road safety checks.