Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reviewed the Covid19 situation with 10 worst-hit States, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. The PM said all efforts are afoot to fulfill oxygen requirement.

The PM also held meetings with its manufactures to increase oxygen production to reduce its acute crunch in hospitals across the country.

A controversy surfaced on Friday when Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s comments in the meeting went live on the television with the latter alluding  to a “big tragedy” which he said could have happened in the national Capital for want of adequate oxygen supply.

Kejriwal reportedly earned displeasure of the Prime Minister, who rebuked him, for telecasting the speech. Kejriwal apologised saying he was not aware that it was not meant for the public.

According to Government sources, the interaction was not for the television and accused Kejriwal of “descending to a new low”.

The part that was on air showed Arvind Kejriwal saying, “A big tragedy could happen because of the oxygen shortage in Delhi hospitals and said to the Prime Minister — Please sir, we need your guidance.

“People in major pain due to oxygen shortage. We fear a big tragedy may happen due to oxygen shortage and we will never be able to forgive ourselves. I request you with folded hands to direct all Chief Ministers to ensure smooth movement of oxygen tankers coming to Delhi.”

“Will people of Delhi not get oxygen if there is no oxygen-producing plant here? Please suggest whom should I speak to in the central government when an oxygen tanker meant for Delhi is stopped in another state,” he stated.

He also said in the meet that oxygen tankers were being stopped by other states from entering Delhi.

Many Chief Ministers, including Maharashtra and Delhi, sought speedy, adequate and smooth transportation of it to their respective states.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray asked for airlifting of oxygen, adequate vaccines and allowing for  Remdesivir imports.

Maharashtra requires 1,550 metric tonnes of medical oxygen to treat coronavirus patients every day and about 300 to 350 metric tons is being procured from outside, he said.

The PM said empty oxygen tankers should be flown back to refilling plants to save on transportation time if it was not possible to airlift oxygen, Thackeray said.

More than 60,000 patients in the state are on oxygen while there are 76,300 oxygen beds and over 25,000 additional oxygen beds were being arranged, the CM informed.

Considering its requirement, Maharashtra should get 250 to 300 metric tons of additional oxygen, Thackeray said.

Speaking on Remdesivir shortages, he said, “It is not known how effective Remdesivir is but it surely reduces the period of hospitalisation.

Maharashtra needs 70,000 vials of Remdesivir every day but is getting only27,000, and it should be allowed to import the medicine, he said.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal asked PM to ensure smooth transportation of oxygen from neighbouring states as Delhi itself does not produce it.

In the meeting, Prime Minister noted that the virus is affecting several States as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities at once and he called for working together to fight the pandemic with collective power.

He said the biggest basis of India’s success during the first wave of the pandemic was our united efforts and united strategy and reiterated that we will have to address this challenge in the same way.

On oxygen supply, Modi took note of the points raised by the States. He said there is a continuous effort to increase oxygen supply. All the concerned departments and ministries of the government are also working together. Industrial oxygen has also been diverted to meet immediate requirements.

He urged the States to check hoarding and black marketing of oxygen and medicines.

The PM said that every state should ensure that no oxygen tanker, whether it is meant for any state, is stopped or gets stranded. The Prime Minister urged the states to set up a high-level co-ordination committee to carry oxygen to different hospitals of the state.

This Coordination Committee should ensure that as soon as there is allotment of oxygen from the Centre, it can deliver oxygen as per requirement in different hospitals of the state immediately.

Modi stated that the central government is working on all possible options to reduce the travel time and turnaround time of oxygen tankers.

For this, Railways has started Oxygen Express. Empty Oxygen tankers are also being transported by the Air-Force to reduce one way travel time.

The Prime Minister said that along with upgrading of resources, we have to focus on testing. He emphasized that widespread testing should be conducted so that people get the facility easily.

Modi also urged the administration to continuously make people aware so that they do not indulge in panic buying.

He said that with united efforts, “We will be able to stop this second wave of the pandemic across the country”, he said.