Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Wednesday criticised the lack of dedicated emergency lanes for ambulances, warning that delays continue to cost lives across India. Speaking during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, she said it was unacceptable that groceries arrived within 15 minutes and pizzas in 30 minutes, while critically injured patients “bleed to death” in traffic.

She urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health to review all deaths linked to delayed emergency response, noting the absence of national data on such cases. Despite a 2018 Supreme Court directive, she said ambulance corridors remain largely unimplemented

60% of ambulances reach late, says MP

Bachchan cited data indicating that 60 per cent of ambulances arrive late, with urban delays ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. She added that 55 per cent of accident victims miss the golden hour, reducing their chance of survival. She called for AI-enabled traffic signals, 30-second green corridors, strict enforcement by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and penalties for violators.

MPs flag other urgent public concerns

Several MPs raised pressing issues from across the country:

  • Rekha Sharma (BJP) sought gender-sensitive mental health facilities, especially for survivors of violence and trauma, noting gaps in awareness and trained counsellors.
  • K Vanlalvena (MNF) demanded intervention over alleged harassment of tribals in Mizoram by Income Tax officials.
  • Laxmikant Bajpayee (BJP) pressed for more high court benches in Uttar Pradesh to reduce case pendency.
  • Subhah Barala (BJP) highlighted increasing water pollution and urged action from the Central Pollution Control Board.
  • Sumer Singh Solanki (BJP) sought safety measures on NH-3, citing repeated accidents in the Bijasan Ghat area.
  • Manoj Jha (RJD) demanded uniform minimum wages for skilled workers nationwide.
  • Swati Maliwal (AAP) called for a probe into illegal sand mining in Punjab, linking it to this year’s severe floods.
  • Amar Pal Maurya (BJP) urged the establishment of an agricultural university in Pratapgarh.