Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday flagged off 250 new ambulances under the 108 Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS) at Kalinga Stadium, emphasizing the state government’s focus on reducing mortality by ensuring patients reach hospitals quickly. This launch is part of a larger effort to strengthen emergency healthcare services across the state.

With the addition of these new vehicles, the state has arranged a total of 428 new ambulances. The first phase saw 150 ambulances inaugurated on December 23, 2025, and the recent induction of 250 vehicles marks the second phase of the initiative. Each ambulance was procured at Rs 25.77 lakh, with the total project cost for 428 units standing at around Rs 111 crore, fully funded by the state government.

The 108-EMAS, operational since March 5, 2013, currently runs a fleet of 866 ambulances across all 30 districts, including 449 Basic Life Support (BLS), 411 Advanced Life Support (ALS), and six boat ambulances. These vehicles provide free emergency medical services and are supplemented by 500 ‘Janani Express’ ambulances dedicated to pregnant women and sick children.

Also Read: Four Temples Looted in Odisha’s Keonjhar Village Overnight

CM Majhi highlighted measures to ensure uninterrupted ambulance services from all blocks to District Headquarters Hospitals (DHH) and from DHHs to SCB Medical and Hospital in Cuttack. The state is also extending services to airstrips under the B-MAAN scheme, with five ALS ambulances deployed at airports and two stationed at the Cancer Hospital in Jharsuguda.

Currently, over 5,000 patients are transported daily through the 108-EMAS and Janani Express services. The phased induction of new ambulances aims to replace ageing vehicles, improve response times, and further strengthen Odisha’s emergency healthcare delivery system, ensuring timely care for residents across the state.

Also Read: #JUSTIN: Fire Engulfs Jharsuguda Railway Station, Disrupts Train Operations in Odisha