Bhubaneswar, Dec 23: The state’s emergency healthcare infrastructure is set to receive a major boost with the addition of 428 new 108 ambulances. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will formally flag off the new ambulances on Tuesday at Kalinga Stadium, dedicating them to the service of the people.

In the first phase, 150 ambulances will be deployed across the state to strengthen patient transport and emergency response services. Currently, EMRI Green Health Services, the agency operating ambulance services in the state, manages a fleet of 860 108 ambulances, 500 Janani Express vehicles, and six boat ambulances.

Officials said that non-functional 108 ambulances have been phased out and replaced with new vehicles to ensure uninterrupted emergency medical services across the state.