Process for 54 O2 plants in pvt sector rolls out
LUCKNOW : Uttar Pradesh will have 54 oxygen plants in the private sector within six weeks to a couple of months as part of a long-term and permanent solution to the state’s oxygen needs, said UP minister for MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprises) Sidharth Nath Singh on Wednesday.
“We have fast-tracked the process from outside as (we) received 54 proposals from the private sector. We have already examined the proposals, issuing NoC (no objection certificate), other necessary clearances, even land allotment for the projects; (there) are no issues from our side. We will even facilitate bank loans to them,” said Singh who is also the state government’s spokesperson.
“However, it is the machinery logistics and installation that would take some time. Some proposals are from Tamil Nadu, some from Gujarat and other states. I cannot tell the exact timeline at this stage, but some of these plants would be installed in six to eight weeks, others may take a couple of months. They are of various sizes and capacities,” he added.
“Not only this, but we are also getting more proposals and will process them accordingly,” he said.
Earlier in the day, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that apart from these, the state government had already sent proposals to the central government for installation of oxygen plants in 61 districts that do not have any. He made the statement while reviewing the Cov
id-19 situation in the state.
A state government spokesperson said the state already had 39 oxygen plants that were functional. Yogi Adityanath said: “The state government is busy creating more and more oxygen plants, but that’s a longdrawn process. For immediate needs, the government is getting liquid oxygen from various places. In two days, UP received 1,060 metric tonnes (MT) of oxygen — 630 MT on Tuesday and 530 MT on Monday. The Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifted two empty oxygen tankers on Wednesday from the Agra airbase to Ranchi for refilling, and a proposal has been sent to the central government for installation of oxygen plants in 61 districts in UP.”
“Under the circumstances, the state should also opt for the instant use of oxygen concentrators. Oxygen concentrators can be effective immediately. Thus, provide ten oxygen concentrators to each of the CHCs (community health centres) in the state,” he said.
“Given the intensity of the infection, the state will have to be prepared for all kinds of situations and double the Covid beds in the next few days. All hospitals must display Covid bed vacancy twice a day,” he said. Yogi also said 64 tankers had been deployed for oxygen supply. While 20 tankers were supplying oxygen directly to hospitals, eight new tankers will soon come from the central government, he said.
The chief minister said that the government was getting big proposals from the private sector for installation of oxygen plants. “This will not only augment oxygen generation in the state in the future but will also employ many. UPSIDA (UP state industrial development authority), industry and MSME departments should examine all the proposals and extend them all the necessary aid,” he said.
Yogi called for the security of all oxygen plants in the state, GPS (global positioning system) tracking of all oxygen tankers, and deployment of police.
He noted that UP had already placed orders for 50 lakh doses of the Covid vaccines each from two manufacturers.
“Place more orders as per the need, as May 1 will see the launch of the (new phase of the) vaccination drive that would include those above 18 years of age. Make a special and proper work plan for it,” the chief minister said.