KMC increases ambulance service rate
Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) recently enhanced the rate of its ambulance services. The rate of the service that was
Rs 150 has now been raised to Rs 200.
The revised rates has been made effective from April 1 after the decision of increasing the same was taken during the 2019-20 budget.
The ambulance services of the civic body is restricted under the jurisdiction of the KMC that spans over 144 wards. However, the movement of ambulance beyond KMC's jurisdiction for transporting a sick person to a hospital or nursing home is allowed with the special permission from the Mayor or Member Mayor -in- Council (Health).
The charge for ambulances going beyond KMC's jurisdictional area has also been raised. The previous charge was Rs 8 per kilometre which has now been raised to Rs 10.
It may be mentioned that KMC's ambulance service caters to a large number of people in the city as the charges offered in private is much higher in comparison to that of KMC. The last financial year has witnessed a steep rise in the quantum of revenue earned by the Ambulance section of the civic body. There was a time before 2011 when ambulance service earned a paltry revenue of Rs 50000. It went up to more than Rs 4 lakh per annum in the last fiscal.
According a senior official in KMC's health department there are seven ambulance centres in the city that is maintained by them. The head office located at Central Avenue near Mohammad Ali Park has eight vehicles. The other centres at Jadavpur, Garden Reach, Ekbalpore, Metiaburj, Garia and Behala have one service each. There are seven such ambulances that are lying defunct and work will soon be taken up for their repair.
In June last year, the KMC had introduced three hearses. "The use of matadors for carrying dead bodies for last rites has possibilities of infection. This air conditioned hearses has been of immense help . The service is available at an affordable rate of Rs 200 for two hours and an additional Rs 50 per hour extra. The hearses are stationed at the existing office of KMC ambulance service adjacent to Mohammad Ali Park on Central Avenue. People can call at the number 2219-7202 for availing the hearse facility.
