Coronavirus: Modi chairs key meeting on oxygen availability amid shortage
Amid reports of shortage in the oxygen supply across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation. Modi also discussed the ways and means to boost oxygen availability, a statement from the PM's office said. He was briefed about the efforts undertaken in the last few weeks to boost oxygen supply. Here are more details.
Modi stressed on increasing production, distribution
During the meeting, Modi spoke about the need to work rapidly on multiple aspects: increasing the production of oxygen, increasing the speed of distribution, and using innovative ways to provide oxygen support to health facilities. Modi was informed that an elaborate exercise is being done in coordination with the states to identify their demand for oxygen and ensure adequate supply accordingly.
Centre allocates 6,822 MT/day of oxygen to 20 states
Starting Wednesday, the central government allocated 6,822 metric tonnes (MT)/day of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) to 20 states against a demand of 6,785 MT/day, the PMO said. The availability of LMO has been increased by 3,300 MT/day in the last few days with contributions from private and public steel plants, industries, oxygen manufacturers, and prohibition of oxygen supply to non-essential industries, it added.
Modi directs states to ensure unhindered supply
Modi advised states to act against hoarding of oxygen and directed officials to ensure smooth and unhindered supply. He spoke about the need to fix responsibility with the local administration in cases of obstruction. He called for faster transportation of oxygen and underlined the use of railways and airways. Empty oxygen tankers are also being air-lifted to oxygen suppliers to reduce one-way journey time.
Work on to operationalize sanctioned PSA oxygen plants soon
Further, officers informed Modi that they are working with states to operationalize the sanctioned PSA oxygen plants as soon as possible. Efforts are on to increase the availability of cryogenic tankers through the conversion of nitrogen and argon tankers, import and airlifting of tankers as well as manufacturing them. The medical community also called for audits to ensure judicious use of oxygen.
