Thiruvananthapuram: A new fleet of 335 ambulances under the 108 emergency service will be rolled out across Kerala by the end of this month, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said on Saturday.

The ambulances are currently being equipped with essential life-saving devices in Thiruvananthapuram. The new fleet is expected to replace the existing ageing fleet operating under the 108 service.

Muraleedharan said the vehicles would be released after receiving the final clearance, adding that all procedures related to their registration had been completed by the state government.

"In any case, it will be rolled out on the roads this month itself. There is no doubt about that," he told reporters.

The minister alleged that delays in deploying the vehicles were caused by lapses on the part of the agency operating the ambulance service.

He also said some drivers' associations were protesting against the agency and that the dispute would have to be resolved between the two sides.

"One thing has been made clear: strict action will be taken by the government against anyone who blocks vehicles carrying patients. Protests should not be staged by stopping 108 ambulances. The government will put mechanisms in place to ensure they remain operational," he said.

Muraleedharan said the government had no role in resolving disputes between 108 ambulance drivers and the company operating the service.

Ambulance drivers' associations have announced a protest from September 17 over issues related to the disbursement of salary bonuses.

The minister said an incident had recently been reported in which a driver was unavailable to operate a 108 ambulance, requiring an alternative arrangement to be made.

"None of this means any organisation will be allowed to disrupt the operation of 108 ambulances, regardless of which party they belong to," he said.

The 108 ambulance service is operated under the supervision of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL).

The new fleet includes 315 basic life support (BLS) ambulances, 14 advanced life support (ALS) units equipped with ventilators and six specialised neonatal ambulances for newborn care, officials said.

The emergency ambulance service can be accessed by dialling 108 across Kerala. PTI