PM MODI URGES STATES TO TAP VARIOUS SOURCES OF OXYGEN

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told senior officials on Friday to tap various sources of oxygen and increase production at each plant, with demand for hospital beds and medical oxygen soaring amid the second wave of Covid-19 infections.

Modi told officials from the ministries of health, steel, road transport and the DPIIT (department for promotion of industry and internal trade) that “seamless and free movement of tankers carrying oxygen throughout the country” has to be ensured.

While the Centre has already exempted all interstate movement of oxygen tankers from registration permits, the PM was informed that states and transporters have been told to ensure tankers move round the clock with drivers working in shifts. This will help in faster turnaround and adequate capacity to meet the surge in demand.

Efforts are also on to import oxygen, an official release said.

The meeting also concluded that surplus stocks of oxygen supply in steel plants would also be offered for medical use and cylinder filling plants will be permitted to work round the clock. A press release said the government is allowing industrial cylinders to be used for medical oxygen and nitrogen and argon tankers will also be allowed to convert to oxygen tankers to overcome any shortage of tankers.

The meeting was called to review the current situation regarding oxygen supply and projected use for the next 15 days in 12 states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. The officials also briefed Modi about the districtlevel situation.