Maharashtra Health Dept Signs ₹1,600 Crore Deal For 108 Ambulance Services Amid Allegations Of Irregularities
Maharashtra Health Dept Signs ₹1,600 Crore Deal For 108 Ambulance Services Amid Allegations Of Irregularities
Mumbai, May 10, 2025 — Despite ongoing controversy, the Maharashtra Public Health Department on Thursday signed a 10-year agreement with SUMEET SSG BVG Maharashtra EMS Pvt Ltd to operate the 108 emergency ambulance service across the state. The total value of the contract stands at approximately ₹1,600 crore.
Under the agreement, the company will implement the new Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) 108 project, deploying 1,756 ambulances in a phased rollout beginning November 2025. These ambulances will feature cutting-edge medical and communication technologies aimed at improving emergency response during the critical “golden hour.”
Advanced Tech and Multi-Mode Support
The fleet will include Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, neonatal care units, first responder bikes, and water-based ambulances. Future upgrades will introduce medical drones and air ambulance services using helicopters. The ambulances will be equipped with GPS, mobile data terminals, RFID, tablet PCs, CCTV, and advanced TRIAGE systems. Integration with CAD, CRM, and vehicle tracking systems will also ensure real-time monitoring and better coordination.
Political Allegations and Lack of Transparency
However, the deal has been mired in controversy. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, NCP-SP, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have raised concerns about the transparency of the tendering process. Vijay Kumbhar, state vice-president of AAP and a longtime whistleblower on the issue, described the agreement as a “betrayal of public trust.”
“The sole-bidder contract, clouded by conflicts of interest and lack of accountability, shows how political favoritism is being prioritized over public health. This isn’t mere mismanagement—it’s a systemic failure that demands an independent investigation,” Kumbhar stated.
Moving Forward
While the health department claims the initiative will transform emergency care across Maharashtra, criticism over procedural integrity and allegations of corruption continue to cast a shadow over the deal. Civil society groups and opposition leaders are now calling for greater transparency and external review before full-scale implementation.
