Asthe covid19 situation in India going from ‘bad to worse’, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on Friday took a comprehensive review to ensure adequate medicalgrade oxygen supply in the country.
Inputsfrom ministries such as health, DPIIT, steel, road transport and others werealso shared with the Prime Minister.
ThePM stressed that it is important to ensure synergy across ministries and stategovernments.
Modialso took a detailed review of the current situation of oxygen supply andprojected use in the coming 15 days across 12 high-burden states such asMaharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh,Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Anoverview of the district-level situation in these states was presented to thePrime Minister.
ThePM was informed that the Centre and States are in regular contact and estimatesfor projected demand have been shared with states as on April 20, April 25 andApril 30.
Inthe statement, the Prime Minister's Office said that accordingly, 4,880 MT,5,619 MT and 6,593 MT have been allocated to these 12 states for meeting theirprojected demand as on April 20, April, 25 and April 30, respectively.
"ThePM was briefed about production capacity in the country to meet the risingdemand," the PMO said.
Modisuggested increase of oxygen production as per capacity of each plant.
ThePM urged officials to ensure seamless and free movement of tankers carryingoxygen throughout the country.
"TheGovernment has exempted all interstate movement of oxygen tankers fromregistration of permits to enable easier movement," the PMO said.
Accordingto statement, the Prime Minister was informed that states and transporters havebeen asked to ensure tankers move round the clock with drivers working inshifts to ensure faster turnaround and adequate capacity to meet the surge indemand.
Cylinderfilling plants will also be permitted 24 hour working with necessarysafeguards.
"TheGovernment is allowing industrial cylinders to be used for medical oxygen afterdue purging. Similarly nitrogen and argon tankers will be automatically allowedto be converted to oxygen tankers to overcome the potential shortage oftankers," it said.
Officersalso briefed the PM about the efforts being made to import medical gradeoxygen.