Famed Dal Ambulance formally launched

Srinagar: The boat ambulance service in Dal Lake was formally inaugurated on Tuesday.

A simple inaugural ceremony was attended by members of Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd, Y4D Foundation, Joint Secretary, Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association and members of its Working Committee.

The concept of a water ambulance, the first of its kind in the UT was a brainchild of Tariq Ahmad Patloo, a well-known environment activist, who worked day and night to make it possible.

Some distinguished persons from houseboat owners’ community were also present on the occasion.

Jannat, little daughter of Tariq Ahmad, was asked to cut the ribbon that marked the launching of the boat ambulance service formally.

Tariq’s idea of constructing a boat ambulance in Dal was supported and endorsed by Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association of which he is a constituent member.

“The construction of this ambulance was financed by Delhi-based Satya Rekha Trust without whose generous support this could not have been possible,” a statement released on the occasion read.

Aadhar Housing Finance, who have launched 7 ambulance services across 7 different states of India, during the Covid-19 pandemic, supplied necessary medical and fire fighting equipment for the ambulance to make it functional under their CSR Project ‘Ayushmaan Aadhar’.  

This water ambulance will cater to a population of about twenty thousand Dal dwellers, including 1500 families of houseboat owners, during medical emergencies. Tourists vacationing on houseboats will also benefit from this service.

The presence of a boat ambulance in Dal Lake was a necessity, especially during the on-going pandemic to help a speedy and timely transfer of patients to nearest Health Centre.

As such, this water ambulance was formally launched to realize those objectives and serve humanity in time of need.