In a major initiative to strengthen emergency medical response for road accident victims, the Maharashtra government has begun the process of launching air ambulance services across the state.
The proposed service aims to provide immediate medical assistance to critically injured accident victims during the crucial “golden hour” after an accident, particularly on highways and in remote areas.
The state transport department has submitted a proposal to a high-powered committee seeking approval to appoint a consultant for conducting a feasibility study and preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project.
The estimated cost of the study is around Rs 29 lakh. However, the committee has directed the department to resubmit the proposal after detailed scrutiny and consultations with the health department.
The move comes amid rising concerns over the increasing number of road accidents in Maharashtra.
According to official data, the state recorded 12,389 road accidents between January and April 2026. Of these, 4,827 were fatal, resulting in 5,233 deaths.
Several major accidents on the Samruddhi Highway over the past few years have highlighted delays in emergency medical response and the lack of rapid transportation facilities for critically injured victims.
Officials said the proposed study will assess accident-prone routes across the state, existing helipad infrastructure, availability of medical facilities, operational costs, trained medical personnel, and the feasibility of operating the service through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
High-risk corridors such as the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Samruddhi Highway, highways in the Konkan region, and tribal and remote areas with limited access to trauma care are expected to be prioritised.
The Maharashtra government is also studying air ambulance models implemented in states such as Kerala and Karnataka, as well as in Delhi.
The Centre has repeatedly stressed the importance of providing treatment to accident victims during the “golden hour” to reduce fatalities on national highways.
Health experts say timely medical intervention within the first hour after an accident significantly improves the chances of survival. However, traffic congestion, poor connectivity, and delays in hospital admission often prove fatal.
Officials believe that an air ambulance network could help bridge this gap and reduce deaths in severe accident cases.
A final decision on the implementation of the project will be taken after the feasibility report is reviewed by the health department and the high-powered committee.