Karnataka govt approves proposal to bring 108 ambulance service under health dept
Bengaluru, Jun 13 (PTI): Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday said the government has approved the proposal to bring the 108 ambulance service under the direct management of the health department aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare services in the state.
This initiative will end its operation under private control, he added.
Minister said, this move is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of the 108 ambulance service while saving nearly Rs 250 crores for the state exchequer.
A Central Command and Control Centre will be established at the state level to manage a fleet of 715 ambulances and this system will be powered by the '112 NG-ERSS' (Next-Generation Emergency Response Support System) software, Minister said.
Additionally, 108 ambulence control centres will be established in every district, with District Health Officers (DHOs) responsible for operational oversight, he said in a post on 'X'.
Noting that ambulance drivers and nursing staff will be outsourced at district level, Rao said, "We are beginning this transition in Chamarajanagar district and all other districts will follow in phased manner."
"Furthermore, beyond the 108-fleet, we plan to integrate over 1,000 additional state-owned ambulances under the unified 108 ambulance command centre for seamless emergency response," he said, adding that this move marks a bold step towards more accountable, responsive, and cost-effective emergency medical services across Karnataka.
In a major step towards strengthening emergency healthcare services in Karnataka, the state government has approved the proposal to bring the 108 ambulance service under the direct management of the Health Department(@DHFWKA), ending its operation under private control. This move… pic.twitter.com/mDc9d09RjY
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) June 13, 2025
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Four arrested for illegal cattle transport to Kerala, 27 buffaloes rescued
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): Four persons were arrested on Saturday for allegedly transporting cattle illegally to Kerala and 27 buffaloes being carried in a "cruel" manner in a truck were rescued on National Highway 66 in the city, police said.
The arrested accused hailed from Shivamogga, Haveri and Hassan districts, they said.
According to police, the vehicle transporting the animals from Haveri district in Karnataka to Taliparamba in Kerala was intercepted at Jappinamogaru under the jurisdiction of the Mangaluru City Police during an early morning patrol around 6 am.
Police said the animals were being transported without valid documents and in violation of animal welfare norms. The buffaloes were rescued and the truck used for transportation was seized.
A case has been registered at the Kankanady Town police station under provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
Police said the accused were produced before a court, while the rescued buffaloes were handed over to a goshala (cowshed) as per court directions. Further investigation is underway.
