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By:

Dr. Abhilash Dawre

19 March 2025 at 5:18:41 pm

Ambulance deployed for Deputy CM; critical patient dies

Ambernath: A tragic incident in Ambernath has raised serious concerns over medical negligence and administrative priorities after Meena Balraman Suryawanshi, a resident of Swami Nagar, died when an ambulance was reportedly unavailable. The vehicle had been deployed for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s visit to inaugurate the Dharmveer Anand Dighe Natyamandir. According to local residents, Meena Suryawanshi suddenly fell critically ill and was rushed to the Chhaya Sub-District Hospital...

Ambulance deployed for Deputy CM; critical patient dies

Ambernath: A tragic incident in Ambernath has raised serious concerns over medical negligence and administrative priorities after Meena Balraman Suryawanshi, a resident of Swami Nagar, died when an ambulance was reportedly unavailable. The vehicle had been deployed for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s visit to inaugurate the Dharmveer Anand Dighe Natyamandir. According to local residents, Meena Suryawanshi suddenly fell critically ill and was rushed to the Chhaya Sub-District Hospital for urgent medical care. Citizens allege that there was a delay in providing immediate treatment despite her worsening condition. After assessing her condition, doctors decided to refer Meena to Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar for advanced treatment. When residents requested an ambulance for the transfer, hospital staff reportedly told them that no ambulance was available because it had been assigned for VIP duty during the Deputy Chief Minister’s event. Residents tried to arrange alternative transport, but precious time was lost. Tragically, Meena Balraman Suryawanshi passed away before she could be shifted. Residents have expressed outrage over the incident, questioning how a government hospital could divert a critical emergency vehicle for a political function while a patient’s life was at stake. Locals also recalled that the same hospital had faced controversy a few years ago when 16 patients were allegedly given the wrong injection, raising concerns about recurring mismanagement and medical negligence. Inquiry ordered Dr. Shubhangi Wadekar, Medical Superintendent of Chhaya Sub-District Hospital, said she was aware of the incident and had ordered a detailed inquiry. “I will investigate the matter thoroughly and take strict action against those found responsible,” she stated. Meanwhile, attempts to contact Civil Surgeon Kailash Pawar for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls. While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, Keshavan, a resident who was present during the incident, said, “The ambulance was occupied for a Deputy Chief Minister’s visit while Meena’s condition was critical. We tried everything to help, but precious minutes were lost. It’s heartbreaking that such negligence cost a life. This is not the first time something like this has happened — a few years ago, 16 patients at the same hospital were given the wrong injection.” Social activist Mahesh Inkar said, “A woman who had suffered a heart attack was brought to Chhaya Sub-District Hospital in Ambernath for admission. Around the same time, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was visiting Ambernath for the inauguration of a theatre. As part of his security protocol, an ambulance from the Chhaya Sub-District Hospital was assigned to his visit. During this period, the woman needed to be shifted to Thane or Mumbai for further treatment. Had an ambulance been available in time, it is possible her life could have been saved. Unfortunately, such incidents have occurred in the past as well. Legal action must be taken against the doctors responsible in such cases, for negligence and dereliction of duty. Only then can we ensure such tragedies are not repeated in the future.” Citizens are demanding a probe by the District Health Department to determine who authorised the use of the hospital ambulance for VIP duty and to ensure that such lapses do not occur again. The death of Meena Balraman Suryawanshi has reignited debate over the misuse of public health resources for official events, highlighting the tension between VIP protocol and emergency medical care.

Venue Politics

India is poised to welcome the Commonwealth Games (CWG) back after a fifteen-year hiatus, with Ahmedabad now recommended by the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board as the host for 2030. The final decision awaits ratification at the General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26. The announcement is being framed as a triumph as it will then mark the return of the Games return to India with Ahmedabad taking centre stage. Yet, behind the celebration lies a question: why Ahmedabad, and not a city with arguably stronger sporting culture?


The last CWG in India, held in 2010, were hosted in New Delhi, a city accustomed to large-scale events. Shifting the venue westwards to Gujarat is welcome as it breaks the Delhi monopoly, spreading both prestige and opportunity to another region. Ahmedabad has seen rapid urban transformation in recent years, with infrastructure investments, modern stadiums and improved transport connectivity. A CWG there would showcase these developments, signal India’s readiness for global sporting events and give a boost to the western corridor’s sporting ecosystem.


Yet it would be naïve to ignore the political subtext. Gujarat is the home state of India’s most powerful political figures – Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah - and while it would be cynical to suggest this was the sole criterion, it is hard to dismiss this aspect. Sporting decisions, particularly in India, have rarely existed in a vacuum free from politics. If the Games are merely to reinforce political narratives, the opportunity to make a more strategically sound choice could be lost.


Take Nagpur, for instance. Centrally located in Maharashtra, it has been quietly building world-class sports facilities for years. With stadiums, training centres and accommodations already in place, it arguably presents a more practical, athlete-friendly option. Central India also offers better geographical balance, allowing easier access for participants and spectators from across the subcontinent. Bypassing such options in favour of Ahmedabad risks reducing the Games to a showcase of political convenience rather than a celebration of sport at its highest level. While Ahmedabad has invested heavily in urban infrastructure, transport and hospitality, there is another vital aspect. Ahmedabad’s vegetarian reputation, a point of pride in Gujarat, raises practical questions for an event that will draw thousands of international visitors accustomed to diverse diets. So, will non-vegetarian fare be served, and if so, might that strike some as a curious contradiction?


Beyond domestic considerations, hosting the Commonwealth Games is a stepping stone in India’s broader ambitions on the Olympic stage. Ahmedabad’s candidature for the 2036 Olympics is already being floated, and the 2030 Games will serve as a rehearsal of sorts.


India’s Commonwealth Games decision will be remembered not only for the medals won or records broken, but for the message it sends about the country’s priorities. Expanding the Games beyond Delhi is a positive step. But the choice of Ahmedabad must be justified beyond sentiment or symbolism if sport is to remain meritocratic.

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