The Country’s first air ambulance, Ganga Air Ambulance was inaugurated by Air Chief Marshal B.S Dhanoa Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force today at Coimbatore.

The Air ambulance which can fly 220 kilometre without refuelling to and fro, can cover Tamil Nadu, Kerala and most of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Helipad is DGCA approved and the only private DGCA helipad in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. The facility is launched by agreement with New Delhi based company OSS Air.

Inaugurating the event, the Air Chief Marshal said, “This is a great moment for emergency medical care in country”. He also said that The Indian Air Force started Critical Care Air Transport Team in 2007 and air ambulances make immediate treatment available. Retired Director General of Medical Services, Air Force Air Marshal Dr. Anil Behl said that the number of people dying in road accidents are more than soldiers who have died in wars fought by India till date and Air ambulance can bring about a big change in this.

Speaking at the event, A Amalraj IPS, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore said that Police will greatly benefit by this. “Everyday 200 vehicles get added to road and there have been situations during major accidents that we have hoped for an air lift.”

A Pari IPS, IG, west Zone Coimbatore said that Air lifts will be the order of the day in future. Presiding the event, SK Srivastava IRS, Commissioner of Income Tax, Noida said that Air ambulances improves the chances of saving a person’s life.