Chennai: Amid spiralling coronavirus cases in the country, the demand for medical oxygen in the country has gone through the roof.
With a shortage of oxygen production units, the Centre has banned the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes from April 22, according to an order issued on Sunday from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, the Railways will run ‘Oxygen Express’ over the next few days to transport liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders across the country, the national transporter said on Sunday.
Union Home Secretary A K Bhalla has written to the Chief Secretaries of States asking them to divert all industrial oxygen for medical purposes given the alarming rise in Covid-19 cases and the growing demand for oxygen supply.
Barring nine exempt industries, the Central directive prohibits the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes by manufacturers and suppliers from 22 April.
In his letter, Bhalla referred to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and resultant rapid demand for medical oxygen, particularly in high burden states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, UP, Haryana, Punjab and others.
He said the Empowered Group, mandated to coordinate medical logistics like oxygen, had recommended prohibiting the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes by manufacturers and suppliers from April 22 , except those coming under nine specified industries that require uninterrupted oxygen, till further orders.
“The recommendation of the Empowered Group has been accepted by the government and the decision, with the list of nine exempted industries, has been conveyed by the union health secretary,” said Bhalla.
He said that given this order, the MHA urges all states to show compliance and take necessary measures to prohibit the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes as it will help in augmenting the supply of medical oxygen in the country and in saving precious lives.
The nine exempted industries are pharmaceuticals, petroleum refineries, ampoules and vials, steel plants, nuclear energy facilities, oxygen cylinder manufacturers, wastewater treatment plants, food and water purification and process industries that require the uninterrupted operation of furnaces as approved by the respective state governments.
In the meantime, te Railways will run ‘Oxygen Express’ trains over the next few days to transport liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders across the country, the national transporter said on Sunday.
Empty tankers will begin their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar railway stations in and near Mumbai on Monday to load liquid medical oxygen from Vizag, Jamshedpur, Rourkela and Bokaro, officials said.