Mumbai traffic cops helped take 35 critical patients to hospital

MUMBAI: Five months since they launched a campaign to ensure motorists gave way to ambulances, the traffic police have helped around 35 critical patients reach hospitals in the fastest possible time through the city's clogged streets. The latest and most high-profile case was that of activist Govind Pansare, for whom the traffic police created a green corridor between Santa Cruz and Breach Candy. While Pansare did not survive, but the incident shows that with a little more awareness, the concept of a green corridor (a traffic-free road) can be implemented.

"We have written to ambulance drivers' associations, to inform them that their drivers need to call us whenever a critical patient is being ferried to hospital," said deputy commissioner (traffic) Pratap Dighavkar. The 'critical' category includes patients suffering cardiac ailments, to undergo organ transplants or those severely hurt in road accidents. On receiving a call from the ambulance driver, the traffic police control room informs the concerned hospital about the case. Bike-borne personnel are then provided as pilots with the ambulance. Traffic cops posted at junctions on the route co-ordinate on walkie-talkies to keep one lane clear for the approaching ambulance.

"Often, ambulance drivers driving from other towns are unaware of the location of a hospital inside Mumbai. They spend a lot of time asking for directions. We have asked these drivers, most of whom have smartphones, to install GPS-based apps," said an official.

Dr Rita Savla of the NGO Radhee, which has partnered with the traffic department for the campaign, said they are awaiting permissions to put up banners at all toll nakas. "Thousands of motorists pass through toll nakas everyday. All we are asking them to do is to move left every time they see an ambulance," Savla said.

While traffic police have set up a helpline for ambulance drivers, there are instances where people have directly called up for help. "Last month, a developer's brother had to be moved to Breach Candy. They sought our assistance at Haji Ali junction. We cleared vehicles and provided the ambulance a pilot," said Dighavkar.

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