Kozhikode

Hailing the District Collector’s order that helped many petrol pump operators to function on the second day of the general strike on Tuesday, a section of ambulance drivers in the city has appealed the district administration to make it a permanent arrangement to help out emergency vehicle operators. They point out that the lack of fuel during State or national strike has been crippling their service apart from giving a harrowing experience to the poor patients.

“Though the majority of the ambulance drivers will ensure full tank fuel on the eve of planned strikes, it may not be sufficient for long distance service. On such occasions, many are helpless to go on inter-district travel,” says K. Purushothaman, an ambulance driver from Medical College Junction. According to him, the drivers’ practice of operating a relay service with the support of ambulances in other districts to overcome the fuel shortage is creating a lot of problems for patients and their bystanders.

With the petrol pumps remaining shut on hartal days, the emergency vehicle operators are forced to depend on the service of illegal retailers who stock the fuel in advance and sell it at a higher rate. There are even illegal sellers who collect ₹20 extra for a litre of petrol or diesel. Owners of stranded light and heavy motor vehicles will have no option to avoid this extortion in the absence of any other practical solution. 

Drivers of some of the ambulances operating in and around Vellimadukunnu point out that there should be efforts by the police or district administration to circulate the district-wise details of functional fuel outlets on the eve of general strikes in such a way as to help out emergency vehicle operators. If it is not possible, there should be some alternative arrangement at the district-level to meet emergency fuel requirements, they add.

The drivers’ collective in the district also sought action against the hartal supporters who manhandled an ambulance driver from Velliparamba while operating a service from the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on Tuesday. They said the injured man had been admitted to the Government General Hospital.