Pune, Jan 23 (Reporter) The number of ambulances under the 108 emergency medical services in Maharashtra will be nearly doubled, the service operator said on Tuesday. At present 937 ambulances are operating in various parts of the state through 108 services. The number will go up to 1756, Bharat Vikas Group (BVG) said in a in press statement. The project - set up in 2014 by the National Health Mission and the Maharashtra government, and operated by BVG India Ltd – provides Advance Life Support, Basic Life Support and Bike Ambulance. A special ambulance for newborns and a boat ambulance have been newly included in this service. In the last 10 years, a large number of citizens of the state have availed the service. Many newborns have also been born in ambulances. Considering the increasing number of citizens drowning in the sea and rivers, 36 new boat ambulances will be deployed in various beaches and river beds. With the increase in the number of ambulances, the response time of ambulances after calling 108 will decrease. Ten years ago, a tender was floated to start the 108 ambulance services. The capital expenditure was borne by the government. According to the new tender regarding the services for the next ten years, 51 percent of the capital expenditure will have to be borne by the service provider, and the remaining by the government. Currently, the government had to spend Rs 33 crore per month for 108 ambulances. Due to the increasing number of ambulances, the government will have to spend Rs 63 crore per month, the statement added...////...