NEW DELHI, Apr 19 (NNN-PTI) – Indian railways to operate special trains to ferry oxygen through green corridors to different states, officials said.
The move has been taken to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen in hospitals hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Railways is getting fully ready to transport Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders across the key corridors,” a statement issued by the railways ministry said. “Availability of oxygen is a key element in the treatment of certain medical conditions in the COVID-19 infection.”
Green corridors are being created to ensure the fast movement of trains.
The ministry said, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra state governments asked them to explore whether LMO tankers could be moved in trains.
“After an elaborate meeting with 12 states, the federal government did mapping, along with state governments on various requirements. 6,177 metric tonnes of oxygen has been finalised to be distributed to states,” federal Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal, said. “Maharashtra to get the biggest share of 1,500 metric tonnes of oxygen, Delhi to get 350 metric tonnes and Uttar Pradesh to get 800 metric tonnes.”
Goyal said, the railway ministry was leaving no stone unturned in the battle against COVID-19. “We will be running oxygen express trains using green corridors to get oxygen in bulk and rapidly to patients,” he said.
India is witnessing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases and the government is struggling hard to contain the spread.
Federal health ministry, yesterday said, 261,500 new COVID-19 cases and 1,501 related deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. So far, this is the highest single-day spike since the start of the pandemic.
In wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across India have been reporting a shortage of oxygen supply and urged the federal government to replenish the stocks.
The Indian government has decided to import 50,000 MT of medical oxygen to augment its availability in the country.– NNN-PTI
