Green corridor set up by Madhya Pradesh to ensure oxygen supply

In order to speed up oxygen supply in all cities of Madhya Pradesh, the government has directed setting up a green corridor for those vehicles supplying oxygen. They have been prioritised in the category of ambulances and will be able to pass uninterrupted through toll points and barricades. The decision assumes significance following the death of six Covid patients in Bhopal hospital due to oxygen shortage.

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The lack of oxygen in the hospitals of Madhya Pradesh has turned into a topic of discussion. On one hand, the rise in corona cases, on the other the lack of oxygen supply has turned into a headache for the government.

The limited means of oxygen production in the state had made the situation worse even in big cities like Indore and Bhopal. As a result, Madhya Pradesh has to depend on other states for Oxygen supply. In a bid to reduce the delay in getting Oxygen from other states, a green corridor is being designated for faster transport of oxygen supply tankers.

Liquid oxygen is supplied to Madhya Pradesh via tankers from Jamnagar in Gujarat, Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and Nagpur in Maharashtra, and takes many days to reach Indore and Bhopal. Also, the tankers need to travel at a limited speed as they carry extremely flammable liquid oxygen.

Hence, the government has included oxygen-carrying tankers in the category of ambulances. With the setting up of a green corridor, these tankers need not stop at tolls, barricades and will be able to reach their destination on a faster basis.

Madhya Pradesh which produces 60 metric tonnes of oxygen domestically, has now increased its production by 3 times. Though work is being carried out in three shifts in oxygen making plants, the production has reached 180 metric tons, but the demand is 10 times more.

Even though oxygen is being supplied by other states, due to the limited availability of tankers to supply oxygen, there are logistical issues.