First dedicated ambulance on Eastern Express Highway

The ambulance,which boasts of high-tech medical equipment,has a capacity of transporting four patients at a time and has a staff of three— a driver,a helper and a paramedic. Moreover,the service will be available round the clock,with two teams of drivers and paramedics working in a 12-hour shift.

“The initiative is expected to lessen the number of casualties by providing quick medical aid to victims. A helpline number has been provided to contact the ambulance,” Barve said. The ambulance is also equipped with GPS system to reach the accident spot.

The ambulance at present will be posted at Vikhroli chowky so that Thane and Sion fall at an equal distance. Barve added,“With time,we shall be procuring two more ambulances,one of which will be deployed on the Western Express Highway and other on the Sion-Chembur stretch.” According to Barve,the ambulance will transfer accident victims to government hospitals free of cost,except for victims who wish to go for a private hospital.

Last year,607 accidents were reported on both Eastern Express and Western Express highways while in 2008 there were 589 accidents.