Pune: The state govt plans to launch an emergency air ambulance service on three major highways from early next year to ensure faster medical assistance to accident victims, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday.The service will cover Samruddhi Mahamarg (Mumbai-Nagpur highway), Pune-Mumbai Expressway and Mumbai-Goa highway, with the aim of transporting critically injured victims to hospitals during the crucial ‘golden hour’ — the first hour after an accident, when timely treatment can significantly improve survival chances. “The aim is to ensure timely medical treatment for those injured in severe road accidents and help save lives,” Sarnaik said.The govt plans to finalise and secure approval for a standard operating procedure (SOP) by Nov 15. The tendering process will begin after approval from the high-powered committee, expected by the end of Nov. The service is scheduled to become operational at the beginning of the new year, he added.Around 15,000 road accidents are reported in Maharashtra annually, Sarnaik said. Reaching victims quickly remains a challenge, particularly on highways where traffic congestion, long distances to hospitals and inadequate access to emergency medical facilities can delay treatment.The proposed system will focus on air ambulance availability, safe transportation of injured victims to trauma care centres and coordination among emergency response agencies. The transport department will work with the health department and police to frame the SOPs. The plan also includes developing a network of trauma care centres, empanelling service providers, allocating funds from the road safety fund and standardising emergency response protocols.Aviation experts, however, cautioned that implementing a round-the-clock service would require substantial infrastructure and coordination. “With rapid urbanisation, exponential growth in vehicles and chronic traffic jams, reaching accident victims, especially on highways during the critical golden hour, has become extremely challenging, often costing precious lives. While the govt’s intent is commendable, introducing such a 24×7 service is not easy,” aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar said.He said the initiative would require seamless coordination among National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), health department, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), air traffic control authorities and hospitals. “Dedicated helipads at regular intervals, night-landing facilities, specially trained paramedics and a robust command-and-control centre will also be essential,” he said.Vandekar also called for a viable medical insurance model to cover air ambulance costs and keep the service affordable. “The govt must simultaneously look at a medical insurance model that covers air ambulance charges, as is done in developed countries, so that the service does not remain limited to the privileged and is financially sustainable,” he said.
