Founder of the parent company of Blinkit Eternal, Deepinder Goyal, said emergency transfers would remain free of charge, but non-emergency transfers would be charged at ₹2,500.
Over the past two years, the service has provided emergency aid to approximately 42,000 people, and none of these cases have been charged to patients, with almost 20,000 being emergencies.
Deepinder Goyal, the CEO of Eternal, which is Blinkit’s parent company, explained in an X post on November 5 that the company had noticed a rise in bookings for non-emergency medical check-ups, trips to the hospital, and transfers from the hospital to the patient’s home.
This meant that the fully-equipped emergency ambulances were being used for trips that did not require aid. Some of these transfers could have been done using normal private transport.
Now, emergency transfers will be free of charge, but non-emergency transfers will cost ₹2500, which will be charged after the transfer. This price is similar to the prices charged by private ambulance companies. Goyal highlighted that the money raised from this will be used to fund the expansion of the ambulance service through the Eternal Foundation.
On November 6, Goyal also indicated that Blinkit would introduce an option for voluntary contributions. This followed a user's comment on X expressing a willingness to contribute towards the emergency ambulance service despite it being free. Goyal responded that voluntary contributions would be introduced soon.
The news has highlighted the issues patients have with getting emergency transports in India.
Dr. Shaurya Garg, who has trained at Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS Delhi, took to his X account, mentioning his experience working with patients who require ambulance services.
"As an intern I used to accompany trauma patients from Safdarjung Hospital. As a resident doing my MD, I used to deal with OD/DT cases," he said in an X post.
From this, the doctor said government ambulance services were lacking and those in the private sector were taking advantage. He added that he supported Blinkit’s initiative and that if they could improve emergency services in India by 10%, it should be appreciated.
India's public ambulance network also distinguishes between emergency response and basic patient transportation. According to the National Health Mission (NHM), the 108 ambulance service primarily caters to emergencies involving critical illnesses, trauma and accidents, while the 102 service focuses on basic patient transportation, particularly for pregnant women and children. The 102 service also facilitates transfers between healthcare facilities and drop-back services for mothers and children.
This shows that while it is great to increase the number of ambulances, it is also important to ensure they are easily accessible, affordable, well-equipped, and provide good quality care.
Alongside the increase in ambulances, having trained paramedics available is key. One of the largest issues Goyal mentioned was the availability of trained and caring paramedics available.
Eternal’s training academy has been growing and working to ensure that it provides quality training. The company hopes to introduce Blinkit Ambulance services to major cities in India within the next 2-4 years. The issue will be ensuring quality emergency care.
India has also introduced a national framework to standardize ambulance services. On June 29, 2026, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the Operational Guidelines on National Ambulance Services (NAS), 2026.
The guidelines outline the types of ambulances needed, how they should be distributed across different areas, and the qualifications and training required for ambulance staff. They also specify the medical equipment and medicines ambulances should carry, along with measures to prevent infections, maintain vehicles and ensure quality of care. The guidelines also call for GPS tracking of ambulances and better coordination through centralized control centers to monitor and manage emergency responses.
Blinkit currently lists its ambulance service as available in Gurugram, most parts of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. Its website also provides details of the medical support and equipment available in its ambulances.
Ambulances are often the first point of contact patients and their families have with the healthcare system. If there are delays, high charges, and lack of well-equipped vehicles, it can make a bad situation worse.
Overall, to improve emergency services in India, there will be more to do than just speed up ambulance services. Reliable infrastructure, trained staff, clear pricing, and timely access to medical aid will all be important.
Rh/MF/MSM