While Delhi struggled to cope with a record number of Covid -19 cases, States such as Himachal Pradesh and Kerala on Monday extended their help to supply oxygen to the national Capital.
While talks were on with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur also assured Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with emergency oxygen supplies, according to reliable sources in the Government, the chief secretaries of both the States discussed the supply chain
mechanism for Delhi deluging to cater critical Covid -19 patients.
The northern hill State also agreed to arrange emergency supplies of oxygen from Himachal Pradesh to New Delhi and the plan has been worked out under the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Raghav Chaddha.
Tilak Raj Sharma, Additional Secretary, Industry (Himachal Government) told The Pioneer that 500 cylinders of medical oxygen per day will be sending to Delhi from Tuesday with refilling facility in HP. “The plan of action has been worked out and from tomorrow we are starting it,” Sharma confirmed state has surplus production also helped neighbouring states – Haryana and Punjab.
In a letter written to his counterpart of New Delhi, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the State of Himachal Pradesh was highly concerned about the situation emerging in New Delhi and would be more than happy to extend all possible help to Delhi Government. He said that the officers of New Delhi Government may contact Additional Director of Industries for arranging the supplies of Oxygen from the State.
Chief Minister Kejriwal also expressed his gratitude towards Government of Himachal Pradesh for their generosity.
A source in the government said that V P Joy, chief secretary has informed that the state is willing to help Delhi and CM Vijayan has taken a conducive stand on this however amid the situation when Kerala is willing to provide oxygen cylinders, transporting them from southern range is utmost challenge though plan of action have been discussed with Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev.
It is pivotal to mentioned here that after supplied to Goa with the movement of 20,000 litres of oxygen, Kerala is being recognised as surplus oxygen state produces its medical oxygen through various state and central PSUs viz. Kerala Minerals andtals Ltd, Chavara (6 tonnes per day), BPCL-Kochi (0.322 tonnes per day), Cochin Shipyard (5.45 tonnes per day), Inox Air Products, Kanjikode (149 tonnes per day) and another 44 tonnes per day by 11 ASU or air separation units.