After a 108 ambulance caught fire over the Saraighat bridge in Guwahati on Saturday night, sources have revealed that a number of ambulances are due for replacement.
“Most of the ambulances are badly maintained,” said a National Health Mission official seeking anonymity.
“Several ambulances have worn out and past their service life. They need to be replaced immediately,” the official added.
“If ambulances past their prime are still used, then accidents like these are bound to happen,” the official said
“A report has already been submitted to the government for the need the replace 150 ambulances,” the official further said.
The ambulances would be replaced in the next financial year.
Investigations reveal that the ambulance on Saturday caught fire due to short-circuit.