Shimla, Sep 9 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Tuesday signed a pact with a Hyderabad-based company to launch a drop-back free ambulance service from Nov 14 for expectant mothers and children up to one year of age.

National Health Mission, Himachal Pradesh, Director Hans Raj Sharma and GVK EMRI Director K. Krishnam Raju signed the memorandum of understanding under "Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojana" in the presence of Health Minister Kaul Singh.

The minister said under the scheme, 125 ambulances will provide the facility to women, both pre and post delivery, and sick children up to one year of age.

He said one ambulance each will be stationed at all the 116 identified delivery points in the state and an additional nine vehicles will cater to the rush.

The minister said this free service will promote institutional deliveries which in turn will go a long way in further reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate.

The state has hired GVK-EMRI (Emergency Management Research Institute), a Hyderabad-based company to run the ambulance service.