Traffic delays ambulances, say doctors

Mumbai: After the government approved the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill that proposes hefty penalties for violating traffic norms, including Rs 10,000 fine for not giving way to ambulances and a similar penalty for driving despite disqualifications, the Additional Municipal Commissioner, Health, Ashwini Joshi, held a joint meeting with the traffic police officials and health officers at the civic-run KEM Hospital.

Mrs Joshi mentioned in a meeting that after a slew of complaints received about chaotic traffic slowing down ambulances, which posed a grave risk to patients is the matter of concern.

KEM Hospital’s dean, Dr Hemant Deshmukh, said, “Due to heavy traffic congestion around Parel area mostly it’s observed that the ambulances are delayed in reaching the hospitals.”