Karnataka grapples with ambulance driver shortage and BRTS disruptions

In Karnataka's Udupi district, the 108 ambulance service—once hailed as a lifeline—has stalled due to severe driver shortages and contract disputes. Of the roughly 54 drivers needed to operate the district's 18 ambulances around the clock, only about 16 are currently available, leaving many emergency calls unanswered. Vehicles are often idle in garages, lack essential medical equipment such as oxygen cylinders and ventilators, and suffer from poor maintenance, compromising the promised "golden hour" response.

Meanwhile, in Dharwad, residents have staged road blockades to protest the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) after a series of accidents and traffic jams. Protesters demanded faster action from authorities, who responded by promising the installation of road‑breakers to reduce bus speeds and the development of a nearby junction. The demonstration was called off after these assurances, but public frustration over the BRTS’s safety and reliability remains high.