Oxygen supply: C’garh lends helping hand to other states

Although a shortfall in oxygen may hit the steel industry in Chhattisgarh, the state is lending a helping hand by supplying it to other states in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic across the nation. On a request from Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel ordered for supply of 16 tonnes of oxygen in a tanker to the Medanta Hospital in Lucknow.

Chhattisgarh, which is going through a major crisis due to Covid, has emerged as a surplus state in oxygen production and is supplying it to the states where it is desperately needed. So far oxygen has been exported to Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh government records show.

Baghel gave his consent to supply oxygen during the Chief Ministers’ conference held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

“The way oxygen-producing states are providing their post-need additional oxygen to other states on priority, the producers of Remdesivir and other life-saving medicines should also start supplying the same to the other states on priority basis,” Baghel demanded.

According to information, Chhattisgarh has surplus oxygen production. As against the 150 tonnes needed, it is producing 388.87 tonnes. “But our demand for medical oxygen is continuously rising,” said a senior officer.