Ex-XEN converts his SUV into ambulance, offers free service

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 27

At a time when everyone is doing his/her bit in the fight against Covid-19, a retired government employee has converted his SUV into an ambulance to ferry patients to nearby hospitals, that too free of cost.

Chander Mohan Chawla, a retired executive engineer (XEN) from the Bhakra Beas Management Board, converted his Fortuner and into an ambulance by removing its rear seats.

Chawla said, “The lockdown has hampered ambulance services and many a time, one does not get a response from medical emergency number (108). It causes hardships to the needy, especially pregnant women and senior citizens who have heart problems or other serious ailments. Private ambulance operators charge exorbitant rates for the service. So I decided to turn my SUV into an ambulance and hired a driver. Anyone who wants to avail of the service can contact on mobile number 9988007739.”

He said, “On an average, fuel worth Rs 800 is spent on the service in a day. The amount is being contributed by my family, friends and former colleagues.”

Chawla said earlier they had distributed food among migrant workers and the needy in Mohali. The food was being provided by Eye Charitable Society in Sector 22, he said.