PM Narendra Modi on April 21, 2021, chaired a high-level meeting to review oxygen supply across the country and discuss ways and means to boost its availability.
PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review oxygen supply across the country & discuss ways & means to boost its availability. Officials briefed him on efforts undertaken in last few weeks to improve oxygen supply: Prime Minister's Office (PMO) pic.twitter.com/ntBoLj10Sv
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021
The unprecedented rise in coronavirus cases has led to an acute shortage of medical oxygen across the country. During the meeting, PM Modi asked to put a plan into action to increase the production capacity of oxygen, ramp up the distribution work, and implement innovative ways to make medical oxygen available to all health facilities across the country.
Key highlights of the Oxygen Supply Review meeting
•PM Modi stressed highly on ensuring efficient and faster transportation of Oxygen to states. As discussed, Railways will be utilized for non-stop long-distance transportation of Oxygen tankers. He was informed that the first rake has reached from Mumbai to Vizag to transport 105 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen. The empty batches of the Oxygen tankers to be airlifted to cut on one way journey time.
PM stressed ensuring faster transportation of O2 to states. It was discussed that Railways is used for non-stop long-distance transportation of tankers. 1st rake reached Vizag from Mumbai with 105 MT LMO. Empty tankers being airlifted to suppliers to reduce 1-way journey time:PMO
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021
•The officials also informed the PM that all the necessary exercises are being done in coordination with states to identify their demand for Oxygen and ensure its adequate supply.
•The Government of India on April 21, 2021, allocated 6,822 MT/day of Liquid Medical Oxygen to meet the demand of 6,785 MT/day of Liquid Medical Oxygen from 20 states.
PM was informed that exercise is being done in coordination with states to identify their demand for O2 & ensure adequate supply. Against present demand from 20 states of 6,785 MT/day of Liquid Medical Oxygen, GoI, from April 21, has allocated 6,822 MT/day to these states: PMO
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021
•During the meeting, it was also noted that there has been an increase in the availability of Liquid Medical Oxygen by 3,300 MT/day. This is a result of contributions from public and private steel plants, oxygen manufacturers, and remarkably after the prohibition order on the consumption of Oxygen by non-essential industries.
Officers informed PM that they're working together with states to operationalize sanctioned PSA oxygen plants as soon as possible. PM directed officials to ensure that O2 supply to states happens in a smooth, unhindered manner: Prime Minister's Office
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021
•PM Modi during the meeting directed the officials to ensure a smooth, unhindered supply of Oxygen to states. Officials have assured that they are working in collaboration with states to operationalize sanctioned PSA Oxygen plants at the earliest.
•Several measures are underway to increase the supply of cryogenic tankers such as the conversion of Nitrogen and Argon tankers, their imports, airlifting and manufacturing.
•The Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary, Health Secretary and officials from Ministry of Commerce and Industry, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Road Transport, Pharmaceuticals attended the high-level meeting today.
No restriction to be imposed on movement of medical oxygen: MHA
In the spirit of boosting the supply of Oxygen, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued an order stating that, “No restriction shall be imposed on the movement of Medical Oxygen between the States. And transport authorities shall be instructed to accordingly allow free inter-state movement of Oxygen carrying vehicles.
No restriction shall be imposed on the movement of Medical Oxygen between the State and transport authorities shall be instructed to accordingly allow free inter-state movement of oxygen-carrying vehicles: MHA #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/EvOkeuT7By
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021
Background
India on April 22, 2021, is currently battling close to 16 million confirmed COVID-19 cases with 22, 91,428 active cases and 1,84,657 deaths.
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