Tamil Nadu to Introduce Real-Time Ambulance Tracking App
Currently, Tamil Nadu's average ambulance response time is 13.22 minutes, with Chennai achieving a faster average of 7.54 minutes.
The Tamil Nadu government, in partnership with EMRI Green Health Services, is testing a mobile application to enable real-time tracking of 108 ambulances.
The pilot program, operational for a month, aims to improve emergency response times and streamline coordination between callers and ambulance drivers.
Once an ambulance is assigned, the caller will receive an SMS with the driver’s contact number, a live tracking link, and the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). This allows callers to monitor the ambulance’s movement in real-time, ensuring transparency and quicker assistance.
“The feedback from the trials has been overwhelmingly positive,” said M. Selvakumar, State Head of Operations, EMRI Green Health Services. “Our goal is to reduce response times further. The app helps drivers efficiently locate callers and enables callers to share their precise location.”
For drivers, the app eliminates the need for detailed location descriptions. It automatically identifies the caller’s position, allowing the driver to navigate directly to the emergency site.
Another key feature under testing is automatic ambulance assignment. The system will allocate the nearest available ambulance without manual intervention by Emergency Medical Officers (EMOs), reducing delays.
Currently, Tamil Nadu's average ambulance response time is 13.22 minutes, with Chennai achieving a faster average of 7.54 minutes.
“The Emergency Response Centre monitors ambulance assignments, tracks their movement, and identifies idle vehicles,” explained Ranjith Viswanath, Head of the Emergency Response Centre at EMRI Green Health Services.
If adopted nationwide, the technology could enhance India’s emergency medical services by providing timely assistance, especially in rural and remote areas. By optimizing resource allocation and improving coordination, the system could save lives and elevate the standard of emergency care nationwide.
