Latur NGO offers free ambulance rides for a year to drought-hit rural families
Shivsankalp Foundation in Ausa tehsil, Latur, will waive fuel charges on its ambulance for needy patients from 15 October 2026 to 15 October 2027.
A local NGO in Maharashtra's Latur district has announced completely free ambulance service for needy patients for one year, the Free Press Journal reported on 2 November 2026. The Shivsankalp Foundation for Rural Transformation, based in Ujani village of Ausa tehsil, will waive the fuel charges that patients previously paid. The free service runs from 15 October 2026 to 15 October 2027.
The foundation links the decision to the severe drought in the Marathwada region, which has hurt farm incomes and left many rural families under financial stress.
Key details from the report
- The ambulance service began in April 2022 and has helped more than 500 patients in four years.
- It covers villages and towns within a 30-km radius of Ujani, including Ausa, Tuljapur, Dharashiv and Lohara.
- The annual cost is about Rs 4 lakh, covering fuel, driver pay, maintenance and insurance.
- Foundation president Dr Mudassir Sayyad said the aim is that no needy patient is denied timely transport because of money problems.
The foundation has appealed to philanthropists, businesses and institutions for support, and says it is registered and audited, with donations routed through banking channels.
Why it matters for ambulance owners and drivers
The report shows how the running cost of a single ambulance, including fuel, driver pay and insurance, is being met through donations in a drought-affected area.
Read the full report at the source: Free Press Journal
This is a summary written by the Ambulance Owner Association. The facts are from the source named above.