PM Modi reviews oxygen supply across the country

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewing the oxygen supply across the country discussed ways and means to boost its availability.

Addressing a review meeting, the prime minister spoke about the need to work quickly on a variety of issues, including increasing oxygen production, speeding up distribution and using innovative methods to provide oxygen support to healthcare facilities.

Informing Modi about the efforts undertaken in the last few weeks to improve the supply of oxygen, the officials stressed on exercise that is being carried out in collaboration with the states to identify their demand for oxygen and ensure adequate supply.

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Modi was briefed on how the supply of oxygen to the states is steadily increasing.

In response to the current demand from 20 states for 6,785 MT/day of liquid medical oxygen, the Centre has allocated 6,822 MT/day to these states as of April 21.

It was stated that the availability of liquid medical oxygen has increased by about 3,300 MT/day in the last few days, with contributions from private and public steel plants, industries, oxygen manufacturers, and the prohibition of oxygen supply to non-essential industries.

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Officials informed Modi that they were collaborating with the states to put the sanctioned PSA oxygen plants into service as soon as possible.

The prime minister directed officials to ensure that the supply of oxygen to various states runs smoothly and without glitches.

In cases of obstruction, he stressed the importance of assigning responsibility to the local administration.

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He also directed ministries to look into new and innovative ways to increase oxygen production and supply.

The PM emphasised the importance of ensuring faster delivery of oxygen to the states.

It was discussed that railways are being used for long distance, non-stop tanker transport.

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The first rake has arrived from Mumbai to Vizag, carrying 105 MT of LMO.

Similarly, empty oxygen tankers are being airlifted to oxygen suppliers in order to reduce the one-way journey time in oxygen supply.

Representatives from the medical community also spoke about the importance of using oxygen carefully and how an audit in some states has reduced oxygen demand without affecting patient conditions.

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The meeting was attended by cabinet secretary, principal secretary to PM, home secretary, health secretary and officials from ministry of commerce and industry, ministry of road transport, pharmaceuticals and NITI Aayog.