The traffic police in Pune created a ‘green corridor’ on 6th September 2019 to make sure that the heart of a deceased donor reached the destination hospital, Ruby Hall Clinic. Only after this was done was the way cleared for the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis who was visiting the city to proceed. The Chief Minister waited at the airport while the heart was sent on. This corridor was the 100th green corridor in Pune since the first one was initiated in the year 2015. Mr. Pankaj Deshmukh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic), Pune, said, “It is fulfilling that through a well-managed green corridor we can contribute to the movement of organ donation.”

The precious heart came from a 19-year-boy who had suffered from a brain haemorrhage and was eventually declared brain-dead by doctors at Yashodhara Hospital, Solapur, a town located about 250 km from Pune. The hospital authorities sought consent from the boy’s parents for organ donation. Mr. Sukant Bele, transplant coordinator of Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC), Solapur said, “The boy was studying engineering. His parents readily agreed for organ donation and they were supportive throughout.” The heart was brought to Pune using a chartered flight. Mrs. Arati Gokhale, Central Coordinator, ZTCC, Pune said, “It is an encouraging factor for all of us that we have achieved the 100th green corridor in Pune. The traffic police has always been of great help to us. Today, they gave priority to the heart and then made way for the Chief Minister to proceed. The journey would not have been made possible without the help and assistance of the traffic police.”