Maharashtra to add 350 ambulances to 108 fleet in first phase of 1,756-vehicle plan
Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said 350 new ambulances will join Maharashtra's 108 fleet first, as part of a wider plan covering 1,756 vehicles.
Maharashtra will add 350 new ambulances to its 108 emergency fleet in the first phase, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced, the Free Press Journal reported on 6 November 2026. The stated aim is better access in rural, remote and underserved areas.
The wider plan
According to the report, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the broader plan in September. It covers 1,756 ambulances, including:
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances
- Specialised neonatal ambulances
- First-responder bike ambulances
- River and marine ambulance services
The new vehicles are planned to carry ECG machines, transport ventilators, pulse oximeters, suction pumps and oxygen supply systems, and crews will be able to consult hospital doctors during transport. The state also plans to recruit 1,900 more doctors, following the recent appointment of 1,440 MBBS doctors.
The 108 service runs under the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services project and offers free 24-hour transport for road accidents, heart attacks, serious illness, pregnancy complications, neonatal emergencies and snakebites, aiming to reach the nearest suitable hospital within the golden hour.
Why it matters for ambulance owners and drivers
A larger 108 fleet with bike, neonatal and marine units points to more varied emergency vehicles on Maharashtra's roads and waterways.
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.