| Feature | 108 (Government) | Namma Ambulance |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Metered fare (from ₹989 Mini · ₹1,449 BLS · ₹3,450 Ventilator) |
| Average response time (Bangalore) | 18–25 minutes | Under 12 minutes in active zones |
| Booking method | Phone call only | App (2 taps) or phone |
| Live tracking | No | Yes — real-time map + ETA |
| Ambulance types | BLS only | Mini · BLS · Ventilator · Mortuary |
| Language support | Kannada, English | 9 languages including Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam |
| Receipt / documentation | None | GST-compliant PDF receipt within 5 minutes |
| Availability | All of Karnataka | Northwest Bangalore (expanding Q3 2026) |
| Who should use it | Any emergency, especially if you can't pay | When speed, choice of tier, and documentation matter |
Bottom line
In a life-threatening emergency, call 108 first— it's free and covers all of Karnataka. Then open Namma Ambulance. If a Ventilator or BLS unit is closer, it will arrive with more equipment. Don't choose — use both.
Common questions
Should I call 108 or Namma Ambulance in a cardiac emergency?
Call both. Dial 108 immediately — it's free and nationwide. Then open Namma Ambulance — if a Ventilator or BLS unit is closer, it will arrive faster. Take whichever gets there first.
Is Namma Ambulance faster than 108 in Bangalore?
In Namma's active zones (Yelahanka, Hebbal, Jalahalli, Peenya, Rajajinagar, Malleshwaram), yes — average under 12 minutes vs 18–25 minutes for 108. Outside those zones, 108 may be faster.
Does Namma Ambulance cost money?
Yes. Namma charges a metered fare starting at ₹989 for Mini (up to 3.5 km), ₹1,449 for BLS (first 5 km), and ₹3,450 for Ventilator (first 9 km). Mortuary is Mini or BLS plus ₹300 de-sanitization. You see the estimated fare before confirming. Night duty adds ₹200 on Mini and ₹300 on BLS.
Can I use both 108 and Namma at the same time?
Yes. You can call 108 and book Namma simultaneously. Cancel the one that arrives second. If Namma arrives first, the 108 unit can be stood down.
Save the app before you need it
Download Namma Ambulance now. When an emergency happens, every second matters.