The much awaited boat ambulance service for the patients of cut off pockets under Mahakalapada block in this coastal odisha district, commenced on March 5.

Mahakalapada MLA Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, inaugurated the Boat ambulance service at Manasa mandir ferry ghat of Barakolikhola under Batighar Gram Panchayat. With the introduction of the Boat ambulance, the people, who earlier faced a lot of problem for ferrying in the boat for treatment at Mahakalapada CHC or at Kendrapara District Head Quarter hospital will now able to avail the boat ambulance facilities for treatment.

Official sources said About 11,000 people of Batighar will be benifited by the boat ambulance service. The project, costs around Rs.5.40 crore which included six boat ambulances and 60 jetties with walkway. The per annum operational cost of the ambulances is estimated to be around Rs 90 lakh. The boat ambulance will ferry the patient to Kharnashi ferry ghat, or to Jamboo ferry ghat and later the patient would be shifted in 108 ambulance to hospital, the Kendrapara CDMO said.