CM Majhi Flags Off 150 New Ambulances to Strengthen Odisha’s Emergency Healthcare Network

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday inaugurated 150 new ambulances at Kalinga Stadium, significantly strengthening the state’s emergency healthcare response system and marking a major step towards upgrading medical services across Odisha.

According to a release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the newly inducted vehicles are part of a larger initiative under which 428 new 108 Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS) vehicles have been allocated for the state. These will replace 419 ageing ambulances and two vehicles that were damaged in road accidents, ensuring safer and more reliable emergency transport for patients.

The new fleet includes five Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances dedicated for airport and airstrip operations, along with two ALS ambulances earmarked for the Jharsuguda Cardiac Care Hospital. At present, nearly 5,000 patients are transported daily to various hospitals across Odisha through the 108 ambulance service, highlighting its critical role in the state’s healthcare delivery system.

Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state government is committed to continuously upgrading emergency medical services by replacing outdated ambulances with modern, well-equipped vehicles. He added that additional 108-EMAS ambulances are being procured to further enhance response time and service quality. The state government has spent ₹111 crore on the procurement of the 428 ambulances, he informed.

The Chief Minister noted that while 150 ambulances were launched on Friday, the remaining vehicles would be deployed shortly across different districts, ensuring the complete replacement of old EMAS vehicles and improving emergency healthcare access, particularly in remote and underserved areas.