In order to provide uninterrupted passage for tankers and containers carrying Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) across National Highways, the user fee for such vehicles at Toll Plazas has been exempted.
Keeping in view the current unprecedented demand for Medical Oxygen across the country due to Covid-19 pandemic, containers carrying Liquid Medical Oxygen will be treated at par with other emergency vehicles such as ambulances for a period of two months or till further orders.
Besides the Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Ministry has also made it mandatory for oxygen containers, tankers and vehicles to be fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices.
GPS tracking will ensure proper monitoring and protection of these tankers, besides ensuring that there is no diversion or delay.
Although the toll plazas have nearly zero waiting time after implementation of FASTag, National Highways Authority of India is already providing priority passage to such vehicles for quick and seamless transportation of medical oxygen, said a MoRTH statement.
Instructions have also been issued by NHAI to all its officials and other stakeholders to assist the Government and private efforts to fight the pandemic in helping them in pro-active manner.
The outbreak of Covid-19 has created huge demand of Liquid Medical Oxygen across the country.
During the ongoing crisis, the timely delivery of Liquid Medical Oxygen to hospitals and medical centers is of paramount importance to save lives of patients critically affected by Covid-19. Exemption of payment of user fee at the Toll Plazas will ensure faster movement of Medical Oxygen on the National Highways, said the order.
In order to meet the time of the life-saving oxygen, the MoRTH has made it mandatory for Oxygen containers/tankers/vehicles to be fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices. “GPS tracking will ensure monitoring and protection of these tankers, besides ensuring there is no diversion or delay,” the Ministry officials said.