1 CGHC010051722025 2026:CGHC:29580-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPPIL No. 23 of 2025 In the matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation regarding News Item namely ; “lky 2019 ls py jgk gS VsaMj] fQVusl rd ugha djk jgh gS daiuh** 108 dh xkfM+;ka chekj] esaVusal ds uke ij gks jgh yhikiksrh**, published in Daily News Paper Haribhoomi, Bilaspur, dated 03 February, 2025. ... Petitioner versus 1 - The State of Chhattisgarh Through Chief Secretary, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, (C.G.) 2 - Secretary Health And Social Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, (C.G.) 3 - Secretary Urban Administration, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, (C.G.) 4 - Secretary Cum Transport Commissioner Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, (C.G.) 5 - Transport Commissioner Block C, 3rd Floor, Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, (C.G.) 6 - Director Health Sevices, Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, (C.G.) 7 - The Collector Bilaslpur, District Bilaspur, C.G. ... Respondents _________________________________________________________ For State/Respondents : Mr. Shashank Thakur, Additional Advocate General Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal , Judge Order on Board Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice 1 4 . 07 .202 6 1. This is an office reference. ROHIT KUMAR CHANDRA Digitally signed by ROHIT KUMAR CHANDRA 2 2. Heard Mr. Shashank Thakur, learned Additional Advocate General, appearing for the State/respondents. 3. The present Public Interest Litigation was taken suo moto cognizance by this Court based on news item published in Daily News Paper Haribhoomi, Bilaspur Chhattisgarh dated 03 February, 2025 under the heading : “lky 2019 ls py jgk gS VsaMj] fQVusl rd ugha djk jgh gS daiuh** 108 dh xkfM+;ka chekj] esaVusal ds uke ij gks jgh yhikiksrh** 4. The aforesaid news report stated that Sanjeevani 108 vehicles, which are useful for emergency situations, were running on the roads in a dilapidated condition and the Company responsible for the same, was only doing a superficial job in the name of maintenance. On the other hand, the officials of the Health Department and Transport Department were neither checking the fitness of these vehicles nor paying attention to routine maintenance, due to which many times the patients have were facing problems. 15 number of ‘108 vehicles’ were being operated in the name of Sanjeevani Express in the District, the speed of these vehicles operating since the year 2019 has slowed down with time. The special thing is that even the first aid box was missing in many vehicles. In such a situation, patients were being taken to the hospital by these vehicles, which at times causes problems in emergency situations. As per the rules, the vehicles which have run a distance of more than 3 Lakh Kms were required to be discontinued but the milometer of many of the 108 3 Ambulances were not working. Similarly, the seats were torn and the vehicles have also turned almost useless. The version of the Chief Medical & Health Officer, Department of Health, Dr. Pramod Tiwari has also been published who stated that the tender for these vehicles were located at the State level and who gives the fitness certificate was not known to him and he would inform after talking to the Nodal Officer of 108 Vehicles. 5. The aforesaid news report depicts a very alarming situation which may lead to any untoward incident in future, as such, this Court had directed the respondent No. 2-Secretary, Health & Social Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh to file his personal affidavit with regard to the aforesaid news item. He was also directed to inform this Court as to how many 108 vehicles/Ambulances are available in each District and what are the facilities available in those vehicles, whether they fulfill minimum requirements as may have been prescribed by the State. The Secretary was also directed inform this Court with regard to further requirement of the vehicles/staff deployed in those vehicles, whether there are sufficient drivers available or not for plying those vehicles. 6. In compliance of the order of this Court, though an affidavit has been filed by the Commissioner, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Chhattisgarh, but on the other hand learned State counsel had sought time to furnish some further information which were sought from the authorities concerned and 4 accordingly, time was granted vide order dated 14.02.2025 and the Secretary of the concerned Department was directed to file his personal affidavit before the next date of hearing i.e. 17.03.2025. 7. In compliance of the said order, an affidavit has been filed the Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Chhattisgarh, on 17.03.2025, wherein it has been stated that there were total 298 Basic Life Support Ambulances and the list of equipment and medicines available in the said Ambulances have also been provided. Further, the Secretary was further directed vide order dated 07.04.2026 and 28.04.2026 to file a fresh affidavit disclosing the current status with regard to the 108 ambulance service in the State of Chhattisgarh. In compliance of the same, an affidavit has been filed by the concerned Secretary wherein it has been stated pursuant to the Request for Proposal floated for operation and management of 108 Sanjeevani Express Services in the State, EMRI Green Health Services has been selected as the lowest bidder and an MoU dated 23.01.2026 has been executed with the Directorate of Health Services. It is further stated that the said agency has deployed 375 ambulances comprising 300 BLS, 70 ALS and 5 NALS ambulances, which have been distributed in all 33 districts of the State in accordance with the National Ambulance Service norms and are presently operational with necessary emergency life-saving medical equipment. 8. In view of the facts brought on record, the affidavits filed by the 5 State Government, this Court is satisfied that the grievance which led to the registration of the present suo motu Public Interest Litigation has been adequately addressed. The State has taken concrete corrective measures by finalizing the process for operation and management of the 108 Sanjeevani Express Services, executing the MoU with EMRI Green Health Services, and deploying 375 fully equipped ambulances across all 33 districts of the State in accordance with the applicable norms. Thus, the very purpose for which the present Public Interest Litigation was registered stands substantially fulfilled and no further adjudication or directions are called for at this stage. 9. Accordingly, the present Public Interest Litigation is disposed of. However, it is observed that the respondent authorities shall continue to ensure that the 108 Sanjeevani Express Services are operated and maintained efficiently, that all ambulances remain roadworthy and equipped with the requisite life-saving equipment and medicines, and that the standards prescribed under the applicable statutory provisions and the National Ambulance Service guidelines are scrupulously adhered to in the larger public interest. Sd/- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice Chandra