To facilitate easy and smooth transport of oxygen across the country, a Green Corridor is being created. This will ensure fast movement of Oxygen Express trains and ensure supply of medical oxygen in bulk and rapidly to patients.
The Oxygen Express, which will transport Liquid Medical Oxygen and Oxygen cylinders to states across the country that are facing a shortage, started its journey today.
Today, seven empty tankers were moved from either Kalamboli near Mumbai and sent to Visakhapatnam for loading liquid medical oxygen tankers from there.
Ramps are being built at Vizag, Angul and Bhilai, and the existing ramp at Kalamboli is being strengthened. The ramps are expected to be ready by the time tankers reach the filling stations.
Railways gears up to run Oxygen Express -
The Ro-Ro service, from kalamboli, with 7 empty tankers moved to Visakhapatnam from where Liquid Medial Oxygen will be loaded.
Railways have geared up to run Oxygen Express in response to its fight against Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/b7tq7VDWnZ
To facilitate easy and smooth transport of oxygen across the country, a Green Corridor is being created. This will ensure fast movement of Oxygen Express trains and secure supply of medical oxygen in bulk and rapidly to patients.
On Sunday (April 18), Western Railway held a trial at Boisar, where a loaded tanker was placed on a flat wagon, and all the required measurements were taken.
Road tanker T1618 with a height of 3320 mm has been found to be feasible to be placed on flat wagons with a height of 1290 mm, taking into account the size of Road Over Bridges and Over Head Equipment at specific locations.
Industrial Oxygen limited to 9 industries
With the requirement of oxygen for effective clinical treatment of Covid-19 patients witnessing a massive hike, the Centre has prohibited the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes by manufacturers and suppliers from April 22 till further orders.
This move will make available surplus oxygen for use as medical oxygen for the treatment of Covid patients.
The prohibition, however, excludes industries manufacturing ampoules and vials, pharmaceutical, petroleum, steel, Oxygen cylinders and process industries that require the uninterrupted operation of furnaces.
Oxygen supply will also not be curtailed for nuclear energy facilities, wastewater treatment plants and food and water purification plans.