Maharashtra health department distributes delayed hearse vans

The Maharashtra public health department has started distributing hearse vans that were unused for over three months. On Friday, they sent five vans to Nagpur and three to Washim. Pune district will get four vans shortly. The vans, purchased as part of a ₹ 35-crore project, were left parked near Dr Naidu Hospital. This long inactivity caused issues with the battery and tyres. The project was initiated during the time of former health minister Tanaji Sawant, and the vans were meant for various municipal corporations and councils across the state. Health officials stated that the vans will be sent to both urban and rural districts based on their needs. Dr. Vaijanath Galande, a deputy director of health services, explained the distribution plan. Public health activists have criticized the delay and questioned why these crucial emergency vehicles were not being used when they were so badly needed. The air-conditioned vans were purchased at ₹ 36 lakh each. Fifty vans were delivered in January, and the remaining came in February.