Government Set to Deploy 428 New Ambulances worth Rs. 119 cr, soon to be integrated with Odisha Yatri app

By Vinay Kakkad On Dec 23, 2025

BHUBANESWAR: In a significant move to strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure timely medical assistance, the Odisha government has approved the procurement of 428 new ambulances. The initiative, valued at approximately ₹118.98 crore, aims to modernize the existing Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS) and reduce response times across the state.

Key Highlights of the Expansion:

Replacement of Aging Fleet: Of the 428 new vehicles, 421 ambulances will replace older units in the 108-fleet that have either completed five years of service or covered more than 2.5 lakh kilometers.
Specialized Life Support: The procurement includes Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances. Notably, two ALS units will be stationed at the Cardiac Care Hospital in Jharsuguda, while five will be dedicated to airports and airstrips to handle high-priority emergencies.
Funding Details: The project is primarily funded by the state budget (₹118.06 crore), with a contribution of ₹0.92 crore from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) CSR funds.

Impact on Emergency Response

The addition of these state-of-the-art vehicles is expected to significantly bring down the average response time, which currently stands at approximately 20 minutes. Government officials emphasized that the new fleet will not only improve reliability but also reduce the high maintenance costs associated with older vehicles.

Evolution of 108 Services in Odisha

Launched in 2013, Odisha’s Emergency Medical Ambulance Service has become a lifeline for the public, handling over 1.2 million cases annually. Currently, the state operates a fleet of 866 ambulances, including Basic Life Support (BLS), ALS, and specialized boat ambulances for riverine areas.

This latest upgrade follows the state cabinet’s recent decision to extend the EMAS scheme for another five years (2023–24 to 2027–28) with a total outlay of over ₹2,398 crore.

Digital Integration

To further enhance accessibility, the government is also working on integrating these services with the Odisha Yatri app, which will allow citizens to track and book ambulances in real-time with government-regulated fares.

This massive investment underscores the Mohan Charan Majhi-led government’s commitment to “Viksit Odisha,” ensuring that no citizen is deprived of life-saving medical care due to a lack of transportation.