Patna: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is rolling out a new service called the Manhole Ambulance to address the long-standing issue of broken and open manholes across the city. The ambulances, retrofitted from disused municipal vehicles, will operate as mobile response units equipped with a repair team, pre-fabricated manhole covers and essential tools.
The service, which will become operational from the onset of the monsoon season, aims to provide on-the-spot repairs in all 75 wards. Each of the city’s six municipal zones will be allocated one dedicated vehicle, designed to reach affected areas swiftly and resolve the issue within 48 hours of a complaint.
In a move towards circular use of resources, the vehicles are being created using old and unused assets of the corporation—continuing PMC’s trend of repurposing waste, which previously saw the development of Pink Toilets and Loo Cafés from similar scrap vehicles.
The Manhole Ambulance will function on a demand-driven model, linked to the PMC’s central control room. Residents can report issues by calling the corporation’s toll-free helpline at 155304. Upon registration of a complaint, the nearest ambulance will be dispatched to the site, similar to a quick response team (QRT).
According to officials, the retrofitting work is already underway on the instructions of the municipal commissioner, and all six vehicles are expected to be ready before the monsoon begins.
