MARGAO
A day after citizens raised concerns over delays in shifting accident victims to hospital following multiple accidents on the NH66 in the Chinchinim area, the Cuncolim police have brought back the 108 ambulance sanctioned for the highway to their jurisdiction.
The ambulance arrived at the Cuncolim police station on Tuesday after police intervened to resolve the accommodation issue that had kept the emergency vehicle stationed outside the area.
Police said the ambulance had earlier been stationed at Paddi village along the NH66 but was shifted to Canacona because accommodation was not available for the health staff manning it. Following Monday’s public outcry over the non-availability of an ambulance on the NH66 within the Cuncolim police station jurisdiction, police station in-charge PI Diego Gracias approached Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and brought the matter to his notice.
Sources said D’Costa took up the issue with the concerned authorities, following which the ambulance was brought back to Cuncolim. The Cuncolim police have arranged resting facilities for the ambulance crew within the police station premises.
The move follows two accidents reported on the Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim stretch of the NH66 and another on the Dandeavaddo-Sarzora road on Tuesday.
With no ambulance available, Cuncolim police transported the victim of the Dandeavaddo-Sarzora accident to the South Goa District Hospital in a police vehicle. The victim was subsequently declared brought dead at the hospital.
The incidents had prompted criticism from citizens over the absence of an emergency ambulance on the NH66 and delays in providing medical assistance to accident victims.
