Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today inaugurated and flagged off 150 new ‘108’ emergency ambulances at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, as part of a major initiative to strengthen the state’s healthcare services.

Speaking to the media, Majhi said the state government is gradually replacing old ambulances to improve emergency medical services and ensure faster, more efficient healthcare delivery. He added that the remaining new ambulances will be deployed shortly, and the old EMAS fleet will be phased out, enhancing response times and patient care across Odisha.

This marks the first phase of a plan to deploy 428 new ambulances across the state. Of these, 419 will replace old vehicles, two will replace ambulances damaged in accidents, five Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances will serve airports and airstrips under the Commerce and Transport Department, and two ALS ambulances will be allocated to Jharasuguda Cardiac Care Hospital.

Currently, Odisha operates 866 ambulances, including 411 ALS ambulances, 449 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, and six boat ambulances. Additionally, 500 “Janani Express” ambulances are deployed to transport pregnant women and critically ill children. Every day, the 108 emergency ambulance service and Janani Express collectively serve over 5,000 patients.

The registration, insurance, and branding of each new ambulance cost ₹2.577 lakh, with the total expenditure for all 428 vehicles reaching around ₹111 crore, fully funded by the state government. The Chief Minister emphasized that this phased replacement will significantly enhance the efficiency, reach, and reliability of emergency medical services across Odisha.