TV
A 108 ambulance returning from Bonai District Headquarters Hospital broke down near Deogaon on Sunday night, forcing the driver and staff to push the vehicle along the road. The incident occurred shortly after the ambulance had dropped off a patient at the hospital and was heading back to Lahunipara.
The sight of a stranded ambulance being pushed in the dead of night on Bonai’s main road left locals shocked. Witnesses described the scene as both disturbing and alarming.
This is not an isolated case. In recent months, multiple incidents have highlighted the poor condition of ambulance services in the region — from vehicles breaking down mid-route to some being towed by other ambulances. The ambulance involved in this latest breakdown had just completed a critical patient transfer from Lahunipara to Bonai.
Also Read: Dial 112 for ambulance: Fire services to provide emergency aid in Odisha
Residents have expressed growing concern, questioning how such frequent breakdowns could jeopardize patient safety during emergencies, and demanding urgent action to improve ambulance maintenance and reliability.
Service Provider Under Scrutiny
Areas such as Bonai, Lahunipara, Gurundia, and Koida have reported a sharp increase in ambulance breakdowns, raising serious concerns over the reliability of emergency services. Drivers allege that the organisation responsible for maintaining the fleet has reprimanded them for speaking to the media, even as they struggle with repeated failures on the ground.
According to drivers, they rarely see senior officials, who visit only occasionally, leaving operational issues unresolved. They also claim that repairs are often temporary, with ambulances breaking down again shortly after being serviced, further jeopardizing patient safety during emergencies.
Must Read: When duty meets integrity: Odisha ambulance heroes prove honesty still lives strong
Locals Demand Intervention
The repeated failures have left residents deeply concerned about the safety and reliability of the service. Upset locals now hope that the government will intervene and take necessary steps to address the issue.
