India, May 10 -- The Maharashtra public health department on Thursday signed a 10-year agreement with SUMEET SSG BVG Maharashtra EMS Pvt Ltd to run the 108-emergency ambulance service across the state.

As per the contract, the company will start the initiative across the state with a total investment of nearly Rs.1,600 crore.

The project aims to implement the new Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) 108 ambulance program and deploy a fleet of 1,756 ambulances equipped with advanced medical technology to provide critical care during emergencies' vital "golden hour."

The tender process for the 108 Ambulance services had sparked controversy. Since last year, several political parties-including Congress, NCP-SP, and AAP-have raise...