Maharashtra Plans Air Ambulance Service on 3 Major Highways by 2027

Maharashtra Plans Air Ambulance Service on 3 Major Highways to Speed Up Accident Victims’ Treatment

The Maharashtra government aims to launch an air ambulance service in early 2027 on three major highways to help accident victims reach trauma care centers faster and improve emergency medical response.

The Maharashtra government is planning to introduce an air ambulance service on three major highways to provide faster medical assistance to road accident victims. The service is expected to begin in early 2027 and will focus on reducing delays in emergency treatment.

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the plan on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of quick medical care after road accidents. The proposed service will cover the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Highway, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and the Mumbai-Goa Highway.

Air Ambulance Service to Cover 3 Key Maharashtra Highways

The proposed initiative aims to improve emergency medical support on some of the state's major road routes. Air ambulances are expected to help transport seriously injured people to suitable trauma care centers, especially when reaching a hospital by road takes too much time.

Sarnaik said Maharashtra records nearly 15,000 road accidents annually, making timely medical assistance an important priority. He emphasized that reaching a trauma care center within the first hour after an accident, commonly known as the golden hour, can significantly improve a victim's chances of survival.

The minister added that accident prevention remains essential, but a strong emergency response system is also needed to ensure injured people receive treatment without unnecessary delays.

Maharashtra Sets Timeline for the Project

The state government has outlined a timeline for preparing and approving the project. According to Sarnaik, the required procedures are expected to be prepared and approved by November 15, 2026.

Approval from the high-powered committee is expected by the end of November, after which the tender process will begin. The government aims to start the air ambulance service at the beginning of 2027.

Trauma Centers and Emergency Response Plans

Along with the air ambulance service, the initiative includes plans to develop a network of trauma care centers, select service providers, and establish standard emergency response procedures.

The transport, health, and police departments will work together to prepare standard operating procedures. This coordination is intended to improve communication between emergency teams and help accident victims receive appropriate medical care more quickly.

Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam, Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, and other officials attended a meeting at the transport department to discuss the initiative.

A Step Toward Faster Emergency Medical Care

The proposed air ambulance service is part of Maharashtra's efforts to strengthen highway safety and emergency healthcare. If implemented as planned, the initiative could help reduce delays in reaching medical facilities and improve access to emergency treatment for road accident victims across the three highway corridors.