Maharashtra’s ambitious project to deploy mortuary vans at the taluka level, with a budget of Rs 123.5 crore, is facing significant challenges. Currently, 132 of these mortuary vehicles remain unused, despite an expenditure of Rs 46 crore.
These vans were procured by the State Public Health Department in 2024, with 32 units delivered in August 2024 and 100 in January 2025, yet they have not been put into operation.
Initiated during the term of former Public Health Minister Tanaji Sawant under the coalition government of the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the project’s distribution process has stalled, despite further acquisitions.
State Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has called a meeting with the Deputy Director of Health, emphasizing the need for distribution based on local governing bodies’ requirements.
This initiative was sanctioned in June 2024 with a funding allocation aimed at ensuring each taluka receives one mortuary van, totaling 352 vehicles. The Maharashtra Assembly’s monsoon session also approved an additional Rs 35 crore for the initiative.
Recent deliveries included 25 vans on January 16, another 25 on January 27, and 50 on February 7 this year. A proposal for their distribution has been submitted and is currently pending government approval. Past discussions held at Raj Bhavan in July 2023 mandated that every district should have at least one mortuary van for rural areas.
Additionally, the government approved 32 more vans in January 2024 for Rs 10.54 crore, with expected deliveries on August 3 and 6, 2024. The Finance Minister’s interim budget for 2024-25 allocated Rs 3,000 crore for public health, which includes the distribution of mortuary vans. However, ongoing delays in implementation have raised concerns regarding the efficiency of administrative processes and optimal resource utilization.
