New Delhi, July 23 -- Help is on the way for patients facing long delays during medical emergencies. India is set to overhaul its National Health Mission (NHM) ambulance network by introducing strict response-time penalties, mandatory fleet retirement, and electric vehicles, according to a senior government official and a document reviewed by Mint.

The new rules cover 28,472 ambulances funded under the Rs.39,390-crore scheme. Under a new accountability matrix, operators will be fined Rs.20 for every minute they exceed agreed-upon response times.

The new rules also introduce strict penalties for operational shortfalls. Ambulance operators must cover minimum daily travel thresholds-120 km in the plains and 80 km in hilly regions-or face f...