Private ambulance drivers in Gurugram call of strike after administration hikes fares

Sanjay Yadav
Gurugram, May 6

Following two days of strike, the private ambulance drivers called off their protest on Thursday after the Gurugram administration hiked the previously fixed operational rates.

Though not satisfied with what they call a meagre hike, the private ambulance association has demanded more money but called off the strike.

Claiming to be doing this after seeing patients’ plight, the association said the new hike is one sided and they have demanded further increase.

“We are returning to work seeking more fare to operate in the current times. However, if they don’t increase the rates, plying would be difficult,” said Vipin Kumar of private ambulance welfare association, Gurugram.

The district administration of Gurugram on Thursday issued an order to regulate the maximum amount of fare that can be charged by ambulances and other vehicles carrying patients/bodies in Gurugram.

As per the order, Rs 500 per km will be charged for a distance of up to 3 km and after that it will be Rs 25 per km. Similarly, Rs 750 would be charged for a distance of 3 km to 7 km and after this Rs 25 per km. For more than 7 km, Rs 1,000 would be charged and after this Rs 25 per km.

In this regard, DC Dr Yash Garg said strict action will be taken against those who charge more than the fixed rates from the Covid patients.

“It has come to our notice that private ambulance drivers/service providers are charging exorbitantly from the citizens for transporting the patients within/outside the state. Due to this, additional financial burden is being borne by citizens during the crisis of COVID-19, which is a matter of serious concern.

“In compliance of the directions received from the Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Haryana, it is necessary to fix the rate of hiring charges of ambulance to be used by citizens for transporting the patients in district Gurugram,” read the order.

According to the administration officials, the fare charges have been fixed to ease the problems faced by the Covid patients and their families due to unreasonable rates charged by ambulance drivers/owners during these precarious times.

Meanwhile, the private ambulance welfare association has demanded Rs 3,500 up to 15 km and Rs 16 per km will be charged extra for small ambulance.

For big vehicles like traveller, Rs 5,000 would be charged for a distance of 15 km and Rs 35 for extra one km and for ACLS Rs 5,500 up to 15 km and Rs 50 would be charged per km after this. 

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