The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has established a new policy requiring ambulances deployed on national highways to reach accident sites within ten minutes. This regulation specifically applies to incidents occurring within a 10-kilometre radius of the ambulance’s current location. The initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing delays in emergency medical response.

Under these new rules, if an ambulance fails to meet the 10-minute deadline, it may incur a penalty of Rs 10,000 for each instance of non-compliance. The NHAI has detailed this requirement in guidelines released on Wednesday, which are designed to strengthen the existing Incident Management System through the NHAI Care System.

In addition to the quick response time, ambulances are required to transport accident victims to the nearest medical facility within one hour of accepting a call. Another Rs 10,000 penalty will apply for any failure to fulfil this obligation, underlining the urgency of effective medical assistance on highways.

Implementation Supported by Technology

The NHAI’s guidelines indicate that for incidents located beyond the 10-kilometre range, the allowed response time may be proportionally increased. Compliance will be monitored through GPS data in the NHAI Care Dashboard. This implementation includes around 3,000 ambulances, along with 1,000 patrolling vehicles and cranes that serve about 50,000 kilometres of national highways.

Moreover, any emergency ticket rejection by an ambulance not adhering to these regulations will also trigger a Rs 10,000 penalty. The NHAI emphasised that all necessary equipment, medicines, and staffing should be provided as per contractual obligations, with penalties applicable for any failure in these provisions.

The NHAI has integrated AIS-140 compliant GPS devices in all operational units, ensuring that ambulances, cranes, and patrolling vehicles on NHAI projects can effectively track and record their movements. Additionally, dedicated Android Mobile Devices equipped with IoT SIM cards have been issued to each on-road unit, facilitating real-time data sharing and monitoring.

Government Initiatives for Road Safety

In light of the importance of these guidelines for public health and safety, the NHAI has instructed all Project Directors and Regional Officers to ensure strict adherence to the newly issued regulations. They stated that any laxity in compliance will not be tolerated, highlighting the critical nature of timely emergency services.

The NHAI’s recent announcements and implementations reflect a concerted effort to improve emergency response times on highways, establishing clear deadlines and penalties to ensure that emergency services are both efficient and reliable. Through careful monitoring and adherence to these regulations, the NHAI aims to enhance the safety and wellbeing of all individuals traveling along India’s extensive highway network.

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