Ambulances without e-pass from neighbouring states can enter Telangana

Hyderabad: After the High Court's order on 14 May, Telangana Director of Police on Monday said that all ambulances coming from neighbouring states shall be permitted to enter the state irrespective of whether the vehicles have an e-pass or not.

"All persons travelling in vehicles with a valid e-pass issued by the state of origin or Telangana should be permitted to enter the state," said G. Mahender Reddy, Director General of Police. He also mandated separate lanes with proper signages for ambulances and other authorised vehicles for their smooth entry into the state. "It is requested that the officers manning the interstate check posts should be briefed appropriately about the HC's order," said the DGP.

On 14 May, taking serious note of the Telangana government's order to prevent COVID-19 patients from neighbouring states from entering the state, the Telangana HC put a stay on the order saying it is unconstitutional. As per the order, COVID-19 patients from neighbouring states will be allowed to enter Telangana only if they have a prior tie-up with local hospitals or an authorisation letter.

A Bench of Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy heard the issue and said the order cannot be operational. The bench directed the police department to allow all ambulances from neighbouring states to enter Telangana. Further, the court cautioned the government not to adopt similar circulars by circumventing directions of the court and restrict ambulances from other states.

Meanwhile, on Sunday as the Telangana police refused to honour the passes issued by their Andhra Pradesh counterparts, hundreds of vehicles had to queue up near the Pullur toll gate on the Andhra- Telangana border in Jogulamba­Gadwal district. Similar scenes were witnessed at Ramapuram check­post in Suryapet district of Telangana where police did not allow vehicles without e­passes coming from Andhra Pradesh over Garikapadu in Krishna district.