Maharashtra Plans Chopper Ambulances For Highways

Mumbai: To ensure timely medical treatment for critical road accident and medical emergency victims on the state’s highways, the Maharashtra Government has proposed to deploy helicopter-based air ambulances to target the ‘golden hour.’ For this, special arrangements are being planned for major state roads like the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Goa Highway.

The air ambulance service is scheduled to launch at the beginning of the new year. The plan involves drafting and securing approval for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this project by November 15. Subsequently, the tender process will be initiated following approval from the high-powered committee.

“Every Life Lost in an Accident is Priceless. The initiative aims to transport accident victims to trauma care centres quickly during the crucial first hour after an accident, commonly known as the ‘Golden Hour,” said State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. The plan also includes identifying trauma care centres, preparing a panel of service providers and arranging the necessary funding through the Road Safety Fund.

The meeting was attended by Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam and senior officials from the concerned departments.

“This system will place special emphasis on the availability of air ambulance services, protocols for safely transporting the injured to trauma care centres and coordination among various emergency response agencies. To ensure immediate assistance for accident victims – including air ambulance services – SOPs will be formulated through the joint efforts of the Transport Department, Health Department and Police Administration,” Sarnaik said.

“Key measures will include establishing a network of trauma care centres, creating a panel of service providers, making necessary financial provisions from the Road Safety Fund and developing standardised protocols for emergency response,” he added.

According to state officials, approximately 15,000 road accidents occur in the state annually. In many of these cases, ensuring timely medical treatment for the injured poses a significant challenge. Given factors such as serious highway accidents, traffic congestion, distances to hospitals and the availability of emergency medical facilities, there is a need to establish a more robust system to ensure accident victims receive immediate treatment, said officials.

“While preventing road accidents is a primary responsibility of the government, ensuring timely treatment for the injured after an accident occurs is equally important. The government is striving to reduce the fatality rate in road accidents by leveraging modern technology and rapid emergency medical services. The plan to launch air ambulance services is expected to significantly strengthen the emergency healthcare infrastructure along the highways,” said Sarnaik.