Sources told DT Next that ambulances based in Katpadi remained off the road for five days, while those in Arakkonam, Sholinghur and Gudiyattam towns were not operated for two days.

Distressed patients were forced to wait for the arrival of emergency vehicles dispatched from nearby areas, sources said.

Explaining the reason, the source said the lone 108- ambulance at Katpadi was held up for five days at an NCC camp due to which vehicles from Vellore, Vandranthangal and Thiruvalam had to respond to emergencies in and around Katpadi.

When contacted, Mohammed Bilal, Operations Head (Tamil Nadu), GVK-EMRI, said, “No vehicle was off the road. At the most, they might have been away for their regular service. Our operations were not affected as nearby vehicles were dispatched to respond to emergencies.”