As lakhs of pilgrims prepare to converge on Deoghar for the annual Shravani Mela, the Jharkhand Health Department is introducing Toto ambulances for the first time to strengthen emergency medical services in areas where conventional ambulances often struggle to reach because of heavy crowds and narrow lanes.
Officials say the initiative aims to reduce the time taken to provide first aid and transport patients from congested stretches of the pilgrimage route to nearby hospitals, an issue that has posed challenges during previous editions of the month-long fair.
Civil Surgeon Dr Ramesh Kumar said the electric three-wheelers would be selected through a tender process and equipped with essential medicines, first-aid supplies and trained healthcare personnel. Patients requiring emergency care would be stabilised before being shifted to hospitals for further treatment.
The administration believes the compact vehicles can move through densely packed routes where larger ambulances are frequently delayed, particularly during peak hours when lakhs of Kanwariyas enter the temple town.
The initiative reflects a broader effort by the district administration to improve disaster preparedness and public health infrastructure for one of eastern India’s largest religious gatherings. Every year, the Shravani Mela witnesses massive footfall, placing considerable pressure on hospitals, ambulance services, traffic management and emergency response systems.
The Toto ambulance service follows earlier attempts to improve last-mile emergency care, including the deployment of bike ambulances during previous Melas. Officials hope the new system will offer quicker access to patients in areas inaccessible to larger emergency vehicles.
However, key operational details, including the number of Toto ambulances to be deployed, their locations, operating hours, staffing pattern and response protocol, are yet to be announced. Health officials are expected to release a detailed deployment plan before the commencement of the fair.
With preparations entering the final phase, the initiative’s effectiveness will ultimately be measured by whether it succeeds in reducing emergency response times and improving medical assistance for the millions of devotees expected to visit Baba Baidyanath Dham in the coming weeks.