In a lockdown situation commuting becomes difficult if you do not own a private vehicle. Things aggravate in case of an emergency and availing taxis or ambulances becomes a wearisome process and often expensive. Keeping this in mind Rachakonda Police Commisionerate has come up with Free Emergency Ambulance and Taxi Services to help out citizens in distress.
Free ambulance for non-COVID emergencies
The Rachakonda Police Commissioner, Sri Mahesh M Bhagwat, IPS, has launched free ambulance services for people in non Covid-19 medical emergencies. Two free StanPlus powered Red ambulances have been sponsored by the SmartIMS team led by Amar Reddy. These ambulances are fully equipped with oxygen, ventilation and other emergency facilities.

The free ambulance services can be availed by senior citizens, pregnant women and disabled persons in non Covid-19 medical emergencies or to visit hospitals, diagnostic centers, blood banks and other relevant places. These ambulances will be active for the next two months under the Rachakonda Commissionerate region. To reiterate on the importance of safety, CP Mahesh Bhagwat advised people to take precautions like wearing of face masks, using sanitizers to protect from Covid-19 while travelling.

The ambulances are available round the clock and those in need of the services can approach the Stan Plus dedicated hotline number 1800 – 121911911 to avail these services in emergency.
Free cab service for emergencies
CP Mahesh Bhagwat IPS has also launched free cab service for senior citizens, pregnant women and women in need of emergency help. However, here too the service is restricted to non-COVID19 emergencies. The four cabs are being provided by Srinivasa Tours and Travel Agency led by Srinivasa Rao and Mahindra Alyte Services.

The cabs operated by Srinivasa tours are for L B Nagar, Vanasthalipuram, Chotupal and Ibrahimpatnam areas while those operated by Mahindra Alyte can be availed at Neredmet for Malkajgiri zone. The services can be availed during lockdown timings, that is, 10 am to 6am next day. People in emergency can call Rachakonda Covid Control Helpline Number 9490617234 to avail the service.
Similar facilities have been set up on behalf of Rachakonda Commissionerate in the past as well. Srinivasa Rao, MD of Srinivasa Tours said, “We are giving away four vehicles for now and are ready to share more vehicles in the coming days.” Notably, the facility was used by around 170 people during the last year.

Response from people
DCP Admin Shilpavalli said, “In the first phase of complete lockdown, there was very good response. Even now, those who availed the services expressed immense gratitude and happiness. Now that lockdown has been announced again, we have made vehicles available again during the lockdown times. Vehicles are now available for vaccination of elders as well.”
Service to humanity
Rachakonda Police has also launched Last Ride Service with the help of Feed the Needy NGO in which vehicles are provided free of cost to relatives of those who had passed away due to Covid, for attending the last rites. CP Mahesh Bhagwat IPS has launched Swasthya Seva program under which food is being provided to children, elders and mentally challenged persons in orphanages, old age homes and special homes as well as for long distance heavy vehicle drivers on highways. “We always look forward to serving the public in every possible manner,” DCP Admin Shilpavalli said. “We request all residents of Rachakonda to adhere to lockdown rules, follow Covid protocols, and stay safe,” she added.