Outside Bollywood's caricatures, the excitement involving life and death is rarely appreciated. Yet, Indian roads have become dangerous—potholes, wrong-way drivers, buses stopping unpredictably, two-wheelers squeezing through tight gaps, and motorists disregarding lane discipline have turned daily travel into a test of endurance. During heavy rains and peak congestion, this isn't just inconvenient; it’s a public safety crisis. Union minister JP Nadda released a highly ambitious plan for the EMT (Emergency Medical Technicians) to reach the healthcare facilities within 20 mins in June 2026. Ambulance services are vital in emergency medical response, providing pre-hospital care, stabilisation, and transportation to healthcare facilities. The Operational Guidelines aim to standardise quality and accessibility nationwide. But where are the dedicated lanes for these ambulances to ensure rapid response and effective service?

Ambulances Struggle Through Chaos

Ambulances struggling through this chaos often face obstruction and indifference. Instead of being respected as emergency vehicles, they are seen as hindrances. Drivers delay, fumble, or ignore the siren. Some fail to realise the urgency; others think their few seconds matter more. Many follow ambulances to clear traffic for themselves. It is not merely infrastructural failure; it is a civic attitude problem. The cost of this chaos is tragic.

Government statistics show that two lakh people died in 2025 as a........

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