108 ambulances that ran past their longevity to face fitness test

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The officials at the computerised vehicle testing tracks have been passing the 108 ambulances in the fitness tests despite widespread apprehension on their road worthiness.    This was when around half of the 25 ambulances in the district under 108 emergency services were to replaced using National Health Mission funds. 

“The vehicle lacks pulling and braking mechanism is also poor. However, the computerised tracks do not evaluate engine quality and other parameters.  Adjustments can be done during test for braking test and generally they do pass us,” said an ambulance pilot. Most of the 108 ambulances have exceeded the maximum longevity of passenger vehicles of the same make.  

“Rules do not fix a ceiling of total kilometres that can be clocked. There is pressure on us to pass them in fitness test and we do abide by it,” said an MVD official.The 108 ambulances were introduced on the road after a special government order after their chassis were found unfit for ambulances. “Worn out tyres and spares parts being replaced by older ones after fitness test is an issue that is faced in 108 ambulances. The ones at Alappuzha are new and are well maintained. So they don’t suffer the same fate,” sources said. Though 500 ambulances were to be purchased for districts apart from Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha, it was shelved.