In a shocking case of misuse of emergency services, two ambulances were seized under the Motor Vehicles Act on the Kedarnath Yatra route for illegally ferrying passengers. On Thursday, both vehicles were seen speeding with sirens blaring from Sonprayag towards Gaurikund. However, there was no reported medical emergency on the route at the time.
Police grew suspicious and stopped the ambulances for checking. Upon inspection, they found that both were transporting tourists instead of patients. The drivers admitted that they had booked luxury/AC ambulances from Haridwar to carry passengers to Gaurikund, bypassing traffic regulations under the guise of emergency service. The passengers were immediately offloaded, and both ambulances were seized.
Authorities confirmed that the Health Department had no knowledge of these vehicles, indicating an illegal operation.
Meanwhile, the police are conducting a strict vehicle checking drive along the Yatra route. Acting under the direction of Superintendent of Police Akshay Konde, 12 vehicles — including four Thars — were fined for violations such as the illegal use of black films on windows.
The drive aims to ensure smooth traffic and uphold the sanctity of emergency services, especially during the sensitive Kedarnath pilgrimage season.
