Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jun 6: In the wake of the state government's order to ban use of Maruti Omni as ambulance, the Ambulance Owners' and Drivers' Association will hold a protest march from Jyoti circle to DC's office here on June 13, demanding to revoke the order, informed Gangadhar, president of the association.
In an order dated May 10, the state government had directed the RTO to stop and de-register Maruti Omni van as emergency response services ambulance in the state. The move has caused confusion and perplexity among Omni ambulance owners and drivers.
Addressing media persons here on Tuesday June 6, Yogesh Shetty Jeppu who runs his own ambulance said, "Ambulance has been used to carry patients in emergency situations. Even though 108 ambulance has been introduced, it is very hard for a tempo traveller (108 ambulance vehicle) to move through narrow roads, and most of the time, 108 ambulance service takes help of Maruti Omni ambulance as it is very convienient to move through narrow roads.
"Ban was ordered just because Maruti Omni is a dangerous vehicle and frequently meets with accidents, but what about other vehicles? They too meet with accidents, but it does not mean you should ban every vehicle for that reason. There is bike ambulance also, which again is an accident-prone vehicle. It is impossible to convert Maruti Omni ambulance into commercial vehicle," he said.
Owner of Ganesh Ambulance Gangadhar said, "The information came to light only when I visited the RTO on June 1, and an officer informed me about the ban on Maruti Omni ambulance. Such sudden ban is unacceptable. We should have been informed prior to the ban. What will be the situation of those drivers who have availed huge amounts of loans to run these ambulances for their daily bread? What is the solution? On June 5, memorandum was submitted to RTA officer urging revocation of the ban. We will also submit memorandum to the deputy commissioner, local MLAs and MPs demanding the same."
The notification was issued by the state transport department on the recommendation of health and family welfare and Ayush services, Bengaluru, technical standing committee, ministry of road transport and highways, department of road transport and highways, government of India. The order says that Maruti Omni is not safe as it frequently meets with accidents and also that there are no functional requirements for road ambulances in it.
However, in a circular, the RTO clarified that the ban does not affect Omni ambulances that are already registered and apply for renewal of fitness certificates (FC). The RTO said that it has directed the authorities concerned not to register new Maruti Omni vehicles as ambulances, adding that the ban is only registering new Omni ambulances and not on issuing fitness certificates.
Secretary Radhika, Prashanth, Prasad, Rakshith and others were present at the press meet.