Average response time reduced to 7.30 minutes; fleet expanded from 1,488 to 2,200 ambulances, benefiting around 4.32 crore patients
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s 108 Emergency Medical Transport Service (EMTS) has emerged as a lifeline for people requiring urgent medical assistance, providing round-the-clock ambulance services across the state. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the service responds to emergencies ranging from road accidents and sudden illnesses to pregnancy-related complications.
The toll-free, call centre-based system allows people to access emergency ambulance assistance by dialling 108 from a mobile or landline phone.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government has undertaken significant changes to improve the service’s infrastructure, operational efficiency and response time.
Initially, ambulances were expected to reach patients within 20 minutes in urban areas and 30 minutes in rural areas. Under a revised contract introduced in July 2019, the response time target was reduced to 15 minutes for both urban and rural locations.
Improved administration, operational arrangements and technology have further reduced the actual average response time. According to the figures provided, the service achieved an average response time of just 7.30 minutes in January 2025, considerably better than the prescribed target.
The expansion of the ambulance fleet has also played an important role in improving emergency coverage. The number of ambulances across Uttar Pradesh has increased from 1,488 to 2,200. The average number of daily trips per ambulance has also been raised from four to five to ensure greater availability and faster access to medical assistance.
The impact of the service is reflected in its beneficiary figures. From its inception until June 2026, the 108 EMTS ambulance service had provided timely medical assistance to approximately 4.32 crore patients across the state.
Beyond strengthening emergency healthcare infrastructure, the service has helped build confidence among economically weaker sections and rural communities that medical assistance is accessible during critical situations.
With an average response time of 7.30 minutes and an expanded fleet, the 108 ambulance service has become an important component of Uttar Pradesh’s emergency healthcare network.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
