SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has instructed the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to create a mechanism that ensures seamless ambulance movement across both regions. The directive aims to strengthen emergency medical transportation by reducing delays and enhancing access to healthcare services.
This order comes as the Court concluded a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by White Globe, a registered trust led by Shoaib Iqbal Qureshi, which sought to establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for hassle-free ambulance transit, particularly in urban areas where congestion often hampers response times.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Puneet Gupta underscored the essential need for rapid-response systems in emergencies, acknowledging the trust’s appeal for reliable ambulance passage.
Previously, the Court had appointed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, as the Nodal Officer to gather insights from relevant departments and present a cohesive response. The affidavit, filed in February 2024, detailed contributions from the National Health Mission (NHM) J&K, the Directorate of Health Services, and the Regional Transport Office. Among the key measures cited was the operation of a GPS-enabled ambulance fleet under the Jammu & Kashmir Emergency Medical Services (JKEMS) programme, which has been implemented in partnership with BVG India Pvt. Ltd. since March 2020.
The JKEMS fleet includes 71 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, with additional Basic Life Support (BLS) vehicles accessible via a 108 toll-free service, aimed at reaching urban patients within 20 minutes and rural patients within 30 minutes. Outdated ambulances have also been retired and auctioned off to meet the National Ambulance Code standards.
Furthermore, the affidavit highlighted a 24/7 control room in Srinagar, which coordinates with the Traffic Department to provide real-time traffic support, facilitating the safe and efficient passage of emergency vehicles.
In its review, the Court acknowledged that numerous departments had already taken significant action to address the concerns raised in the PIL, including a standing order issued in 2015 by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, City Srinagar, which mandates free passage for ambulances within the city.
In closing the PIL, the Court directed the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of both Union Territories, in coordination with Health Departments, to establish a uniform system for ensuring uninterrupted ambulance movement. The bench concluded by stating, “There is no need to keep the present petition pending, and the same is disposed of.”
