Bhubaneswar, Feb 10: In a major push to strengthen emergency healthcare services, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday flagged off 250 new ambulances during the second phase of the state’s ambulance expansion drive at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The state government has arranged a total of 428 new ambulances under the initiative. Earlier, in the first phase, 150 ambulances were flagged off on December 23, 2025. The project, funded entirely by the state at an estimated cost of Rs 111 crore, aims to improve emergency response time and reduce mortality rates by ensuring faster transportation of patients to hospitals.

At present, Odisha operates 866 emergency ambulances. Additionally, 500 ambulances under the ‘Janani Express’ scheme provide dedicated services for pregnant women and sick children, serving as a critical support system, especially in rural areas.

The Chief Minister said steps are being taken to ensure round-the-clock ambulance connectivity from all blocks to District Headquarters Hospitals and SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. Services will also link key airstrips like Rourkela and Jeypore under the state’s flight scheme, enhancing critical care access statewide.

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