No Air Ambulance Service on Pune–Mumbai Expressway as MSRDC Flags Cost, Terrain Challenges
No Air Ambulance Service on Pune–Mumbai Expressway as MSRDC Flags Cost, Terrain Challenges
Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has scrapped a proposal to introduce air ambulance services on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway, citing high operational costs and serious geographical and logistical constraints. As a result, accident victims on the busy corridor will continue to be transported to hospitals by road-based emergency services.
The proposal, first examined in 2016 after a private company submitted a detailed plan, aimed to provide rapid medical assistance to victims of serious accidents, particularly in areas where traffic congestion and difficult terrain often delay emergency response. However, after a detailed assessment, MSRDC concluded that the service was neither financially nor practically viable.
According to MSRDC officials, the expressway’s winding ghat sections, hilly terrain, and lack of suitable landing zones make helicopter operations impractical. The proposal estimated the cost of operating an air ambulance at nearly ₹5 lakh per hour, which the corporation said would place a heavy financial burden without proportionate benefits.
Explaining the decision, MSRDC Joint Managing Director Rajesh Patil said the expressway passes through geographically challenging terrain. “Establishing dedicated helipads or landing sites for air ambulances in the ghat section would be extremely difficult. Weather conditions such as fog during winter and heavy rainfall during the monsoon would further complicate operations. Considering all these factors, the proposal has been cancelled,” he said.
Instead of pursuing aerial medical services, MSRDC has decided to strengthen ground-level emergency response systems. Officials said trauma care centres along the 94.5-kilometre-long expressway are being upgraded with advanced medical facilities to ensure timely treatment for accident victims.
The corporation also highlighted that a robust emergency mechanism is already in place. Four Quick Response Team (QRT) units have been strategically deployed along the expressway and are capable of reaching accident sites within 12 minutes of receiving an alert. These teams provide immediate first aid and ensure swift transportation of the injured to nearby hospitals.
Meanwhile, official data from the Highway Traffic Police and MSRDC indicate a decline in accidents over the past two years, attributed to the implementation of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) and AI-based CCTV surveillance. In 2024, the expressway recorded 66 accidents resulting in 82 fatalities. In 2025, the number dropped to 54 accidents with 61 deaths.
MSRDC officials maintained that with improved safety measures, upgraded trauma care facilities, and efficient on-ground emergency response, there is no immediate need for an air ambulance service on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway at present.
