Industry exploring options of importing small O2 plants
We have carried out the first round of talk with Indian representative of the South Korean company for supply of small oxygen plants PANKAJ KUMAR, national president, IIA
: The industry sector in Uttar Pradesh is exploring the option of importing small oxygen plants from South Korea which require less space for installation but waiting time of 25 to 30 days may cause some delay in it.
The efforts have been started as the state government has asked Indian Industries Association (IIA) and other industry lobby bodies to help the government meet oxygen demand in UP.
These small oxygen plants will be able to supply oxygen to 10 beds and will be useful for community health centres (CHC) and other small hospitals.
Two plants will be installed at big medical centres in rural areas having capacity of more than 10 beds. Members of Indian Industries Association (IIA) are also exploring the possibilities of sourcing oxygen plants from Russia.
“We have carried out the first round of talk with Indian representative of the South Korean company for supply of small oxygen plants. But waiting time from the date of placing the order is 25-to 30 days,” said Pankaj Kumar, national president, IIA. One plant will cost around Rs 20 lakh and requires less space to install, he added.
A Varanasi-based industrialist RK Chaudhary has already donated an oxygen plant to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Varanasi. The plant was purchased from an Aurangabadbased company in Maharashtra.
After the state government’s request, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the state have expressed their willingness to install oxygen plants. Some of them are willing to start a new business venture of oxygen generation. The state government has already approved 54 applications of MSMEs seeking permission to install oxygen plants.
“Industry is exploring all options for installing oxygen plants. But Indian companies in the trade of installing these plants are overburdened with orders. This has led to waiting time of around two-and-a-half months,” said Kumar.
“Therefore, we are also exploring the option of importing oxygen plants from South Korea where waiting time is around 25-to 30 days,” he added. The state government has already mandated Trident Pneumatics Private Limited, HLL Infra Tech Services Ltd and the union ministry of petroleum to install oxygen plants in 37 government hospitals across the state.
While Coimbatore-based Trident will install 21 oxygen plants in government hospitals across the state, the remaining will be installed by HLL Infra Tech Services Ltd and the union ministry of petroleum. These plants will be based on the DRDO’s liquid oxygen plant technology.