The Indian government has proposed a regulatory framework for two-wheeled road ambulances, with nationwide implementation planned from October 1, 2027. The initiative is intended to strengthen emergency medical response in rural, remote, and hilly regions where conventional ambulances often face delays due to difficult terrain or limited road access. A draft notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposes amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, introducing a dedicated regulatory category for two-wheeled road ambulances.

The move aims to establish uniform national standards for their design, safety, registration, and operational requirements. Currently, these vehicles are not recognized as a separate category under the existing rules, leaving no standardized requirements for construction, patient handling, type approval, registration, or fitness…