The difference between life and death during a medical emergency often hinges on a single factor: TIME. In cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, traffic congestion routinely swallows precious minutes, undermining even the best medical interventions.

When Minutes Turn Deadly

Urban traffic delays are a critical, often overlooked cause of preventable mortality. Multiple studies and audits confirm that delays in ambulance response times are directly linked to increased trauma fatalities and deteriorating patient outcomes. For example:

• In Delhi, the average ambulance response time has risen to over 17 minutes, up from 13 minutes in 2014, despite an increase in fleet size.
• Nationally, the average ambulance response time ranges from 25 to 30 minutes, with rural areas faring even worse.
• A 2021 Comptroller and Auditor General report on Karnataka found that nearly 90,000 crash victims did not receive timely care due to ambulance unavailability and delays, and in 6,000 cases, dispatch itself was delayed by over 30 minutes.
• According to the National Crime Records Bureau, a significant proportion of accident deaths in Indian cities occur in transit, before patients reach a hospital.

The “Golden Hour” – the first 60 minutes after trauma or acute medical events is critical for survival, particularly in cases of stroke, cardiac arrest, or severe injuries. Yet, in India’s congested metros, this window is often lost to traffic.

Technology as a Medical Intervention

To address these systemic delays, hospitals and civic authorities are increasingly turning to technology to optimize emergency medical logistics.

GPS-Based Ambulance Tracking

Real-time GPS integration allows for dynamic route optimization, live tracking, and early hospital alerts. In cities where such systems are implemented, response times have improved:

• In Chennai and Kolkata, GPS-enabled fleets have reduced response times by 12–15%.
• Door-to-CT times for stroke patients have also improved, enabling quicker thrombolysis and better outcomes.

Traffic Signal Pre-emption

Pilot projects have demonstrated that traffic signal override systems—where ambulances automatically trigger green lights—can reduce journey times. However, only a few of the urban intersections in India are currently equipped for such digital interventions.

Bike Ambulances

In gridlocked or narrow urban zones, two-wheeled ambulances staffed by trained paramedics have proven invaluable. Under Karnataka’s “Platinum Ten Minutes” initiative, bike ambulances were first responders in one-third of trauma cases in Bengaluru, with a median arrival time under six minutes—less than half that of traditional van ambulances. Early stabilization in such cases has been lifesaving.

The Roadblocks We Still Face

Despite technological advances, several barriers persist:

• Inadequate Infrastructure: Fewer than one in five urban traffic signals can support override systems; most still rely on manual or timer-based controls.
• Technology Gaps: GPS signal loss, uncharged devices, and software glitches can cause further lapses.
• Public Apathy: Surveys indicate that 62% of ambulance drivers report motorists refusing to yield, and 45% have to personally request drivers to make way at least once a week. Laws on “ambulance right of way” need to be enforced more stringently.

The Way Forward: Integrating Urban Health and Urban Mobility

Improving emergency care outcomes in India’s cities will require coordinated action:

• Mandate GPS tracking and digital dispatch for all emergency vehicles under central health schemes.
• Integrate traffic signal pre-emption technology into the Smart Cities Mission.
• Launch public awareness campaigns and enforce legal consequences for failing to yield to ambulances.
• Establish decentralized trauma stabilization units at high-traffic nodes.

Time is the most critical element in emergency treatment. When the Golden Hour is lost to traffic, it is not merely a delay – it is often a preventable death.

Closing Perspective

As clinicians, we must advocate for systemic change because when every second matters, the fight is not just against disease or injury, but against the clock and the traffic of the city itself. Only by integrating technology, infrastructure, and civic responsibility can we truly reclaim the Golden Hour for our patients.

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The program was conducted to educate and empower 130 delivery partners in the city. The session was designed to encourage safer, proactive driving habits, reinforce the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, and reduce risky behaviors through better time and route planning.  It was led by the Pune Traffic Police officials including Amol Zende, DCP, Pune; Sunil Gawali, Senior PI; Hanif Shaikh, RSP Traffic and Devidas Patil, RSP Traffic, who provided invaluable training and guidance to the delivery partners.

“India has witnessed an increase in the number of road accidents and fatalities over the last 2 years. India has the highest number of road accidents fatalities globally. Under the charter of Delivering Safely, Swiggy is committed to the welfare and safety of its delivery partners and partners with police authorities to conduct various road safety awareness programs across the country. The objective is to enhance traffic road safety and ensure that delivery partners follow traffic rules at all times. We are thankful for the support extended by the Pune Traffic Police and hope to improve traffic sensitization and enhance the safety of delivery partners who are one of the key pillars of our business,” said Shalabh Shrivastava, Senior Vice President, Drivers Organization, Swiggy.

Over the years, Swiggy has conducted drives in different cities across India in its commitment to enabling a safe working environment for its delivery fleet. All delivery partners at Swiggy are provided with insurance that protects them on the road.

In April last year, Swiggy partnered with Gurugram Traffic Police for a Road Safety and Traffic Awareness Workshop. The training workshop was attended by over 100 delivery partners. In 2023, in an industry-first initiative, Swiggy partnered with Dial 4242 to provide on-demand, free, and fast ambulance services to its delivery partners. Swiggy also has Emergency Support Services (ESS), which encompasses various options to cater to the needs of delivery partners during an emergency or mishap on the road. The ESS includes 24*7 hotline numbers, emergency cards for delivery partners, and a direct link to the local police and ambulance service via an SOS button on the delivery partner app.

For Swiggy, the safety and well-being of its delivery partners and the wider community is of primary importance. All delivery partners of Swiggy undergo a safety guidance module at the time of onboarding. The platform also conducts safety campaigns offering support and guidance throughout the year. 

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INDIA: The share of Indian airlines in international passenger traffic originating from, terminating in, or transitioning through India is seen surging 700 basis points (bps) to ~50% by fiscal 2028 from 43% in fiscal 2024.

The improvement would be driven by Indian airlines deploying additional aircraft and adding new routes in the international segment, as well as their inherent advantage of superior domestic connectivity compared with foreign carriers.

The business profiles of Indian carriers will strengthen as a result of their rising share in international traffic, which is more profitable than the domestic segment.

India’s international passenger traffic grew to around 70 million in fiscal 2024, from a low of 10 million in pandemic-hit fiscal 2021, to surpass the pre-pandemic level1. The share of Indian airlines, which was rising steadily earlier, picked up pace since the pandemic (see chart 1).

Says Manish Gupta, Senior Director and Deputy Chief Ratings Officer, CRISIL Ratings, “A noticeable shift in spending patterns has emerged after the pandemic, as evident in the increasing inclination of Indians towards international leisure travel. Increasing disposable incomes, easing visa requirements, growing number of airports and enhanced air travel connectivity are boosting international travel. The government’s focus on making India a hub for tourism is also expected to provide a fillip to inbound traffic. Thus, international passenger traffic is likely to clock a CAGR² of 10-11% over the next four fiscals, against a mere 5% CAGR in the four years³ prior to the pandemic.”

Indian airlines are looking to capture a large portion of the growth in international passenger traffic as it is typically more profitable due to higher yields and has less intense competition compared with domestic routes. They have added 55 new international routes over the past 15 months, taking their tally beyond 300⁴. These include direct flights originating from additional cities⁵ to popular long-haul destinations in the United States, Europe and Australia, effectively reducing flying time and eliminating layovers.

Indian airlines are also aiming to deploy additional aircraft on the short and medium-haul international routes and leveraging codeshare agreements with major global airlines to offer onward connectivity to passengers.

As such, Indian airlines have certain natural advantages in cornering a larger share of the country’s international traffic compared with foreign airlines. They have superior domestic connectivity than their overseas counterparts – which serve only select Indian cities – and can offer end-to-end international connectivity on a single ticket to travelers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

India’s geographic location also lends itself well to air connections between the EMEA⁶ and Asia Pacific regions, potentially positioning the country as a hub for international travel.

Says Ankit Kedia, Director, CRISIL Ratings, “To capitalize on the growth in international travel, Indian airlines are investing in widebody and long-range narrowbody aircraft for network expansion, adding new international routes and introducing long-haul non-stop flights to key destinations. Aided by the planned fleet addition and network expansion strategy, Indian airlines could log a CAGR of 14-15% in the international segment over the next four fiscals, taking their market share to 50%.”

• ¹ 67 million passengers in fiscal 2020
• ² Compound annual growth rate
• ³ Fiscals 2016-2020
• ⁴ As per the 2024 summer schedule of Indian airlines
• ⁵ 21 new city pairs covering long-haul destinations during Oct-Dec 2023 compared with Oct-Dec 2019
• ⁶ Europe, the Middle East and Africa

The post Indian Airlines To Carry Half Of Country’s International Traffic By FY28 appeared first on NRI News.

In efforts to propel the strong travel momentum witnessed during the initial six months of 2023, the 6-city training session which concluded in Delhi and Pune will be followed by Kolkata, Kochi, Indore, and Jaipur. On-ground events such as ‘Learn SA’ assist the tourism board in setting the ground for aligning trade partners with the board’s well-developed strategy to boost growth and attract Indian travelers to the Rainbow Nation. The workshops also act as a valuable platform for expanding South African Tourism’s network of trade partners by inviting a delegation of new players and encouraging them to participate. This immersive experience aims to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively market and represent the country, further enhancing our collaborative efforts to showcase the diverse attractions and experiences that South Africa has to offer.

India is currently the 6th largest international source market for South Africa and the tourism board believes that the country has a significant role to play when it comes to the prospering tourism landscape of South Africa. In Pune, the workshop garnered the participation of over 111 trade partners. Further, for this year’s edition of ‘Learn SA,’ more than 1,000 trade partners are expected to be in attendance from all over India. The 9th edition of ‘Learn SA’ focuses its lens on novel activities, unexplored provinces, and hidden gems of South Africa.

Commenting on ‘Learn South Africa’ 2023, Ms. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India and South-East Asia, South African Tourism said “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Indian trade fraternity for being a part of this workshop and playing a pivotal role in its success. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and eagerness to learn more about South Africa have not only elevated this initiative but laid the foundation for enduring partnerships that will continue to grow in the years to come. This year, through our collaborative efforts, we have witnessed a significant growth in tourism from India and it further reinforces my belief that this is only the beginning. It will be our endeavor to innovate and to explore newer avenues of association by expanding such programs to tier-2 and tier-3 cities of the Indian market.”

Pune is one of the key emerging source markets for South African Tourism in India. The Rainbow Nation has been seeing an increased preference for leisure as well as business travelers from the country, thereby contributing to the flourishing footfalls. During the period January – June 2023, the tourism board witnessed an 18% jump in business travelers from Pune in comparison to January – June 2022. Of the overall inbound traffic from the city, over 88% of the travelers chose South Africa for their business and MICE initiatives.

Owing to its novel initiatives and collaborative efforts throughout the year, South African Tourism has witnessed over 80% growth in arrivals from January – July 2023 in comparison to the same period last year. South African Tourism is deeply invested in India as part of its long-term global strategy, and it is one of the top-3 focus markets for the tourism board globally.

About South African Tourism: South African Tourism is the tourism marketing arm of the South African government. Simply put, their job is to promote the country domestically and internationally, whether for leisure, business, or events tourism.

As a government body, they are committed to meaningfully contributing to the South African government’s objectives of inclusive economic growth, sustainable job creation, and redistribution and transformation of the industry.

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