Centre to increase oxygen supplies amid shortage
As hospitals gasped for oxygen, the Centre on Wednesday stepped in to streamline supplies by setting up control rooms to sort out the problems related to transport faced by states even as it advised rational use of the lifesaver.
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the government was also working to increase supplies of medical oxygen and was examining applications from suppliers for imports.
“Our total oxygen production capacity is 7,500 metric tonnes per day. We have allocated 6,600 MT to states,” Bhushan said, advising on its effective planning and rational use.
He said a 24x7 control room has been set up to handle issues related to oxygen transport, amid claims by the Delhi government of Haryana blocking supplies to hospitals in the national capital.
Bhushan admitted that there were issues related to the supply of oxygen from Faridabad in Haryana to hospitals in the national capital, but the same were sorted out by the Centre.
He said the Delhi Police had also created a green corridor to ensure smooth supplies of oxygen to hospitals in the national capital which is inundated with Covid-19 patients.
“There is a shortage of oxygen in Delhi. The quota for Delhi was decided before the surge in cases. As the number of cases increased, so has the demand for oxygen. Delhi’s quota should be increased from 378 MT to 700 MT,” Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters.
Bhushan said the Centre had also issued global tenders for the supply of 50,000 MT of medical oxygen.
“We have received expressions of interest, We are evaluating applications from suppliers overseas for oxygen imports,” he said.
Earlier, Haryana had accused Delhi of "looting" an oxygen tanker bound for Faridabad.
“We are being forced to give our oxygen to Delhi. First, we will complete our needs, then give to others,” Vij said.
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