Free Movement Of Ambulances: JK And Ladakh HC Appoints Nodal Officer

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has appointed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir as the nodal officer to coordinate among various government departments to ensure smooth functioning of ambulances throughout the Union Territory.

The development comes in a Public Interest Litigation filed by NGO-White Globe in 2018.

The PIL sought directions for upgrading ambulance basic structures to European standards, as well as coordination between various government departments to allow ambulances free passage.

Last month, Advocate General DC Raina suggested that, given the involvement of various departments, a Nodal Officer be appointed to provide a consistent view to the Court on behalf of various agencies.

In this regard, a bench of Chief Justice Kotiswar Singh and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal determined that it was appropriate to appoint Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir as the Nodal Officer and directed him to file an affidavit taking into account various averments/assurances/undertakings made by the respondent-departments.

“We appoint Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to be the Nodal Officer, who may file the comprehensive affidavit on behalf of the respondents, based on the inputs received from the various departments, so that there is unanimity and consistency in the stand taken by the respondents,” the order reads.

According to the PIL, which was filed through senior advocate Syed Faisal Qadri, coordination is required, particularly between the Traffic Department and the Health Department, to ensure that valuable lives are saved.

The matter has now been scheduled for further consideration on 7^th June, 2023.