Indian railways to run special trains via green corridors to ferry oxygen

 Indian railways is set to operate special trains to ferry oxygen through green corridors to different states, officials said Sunday.

The move has been taken to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen in the hospitals hit by COVID-19 pandemic.

"Railways is getting fully ready to transport Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders across the key corridors," a statement issued by the railways ministry said. "Availability of oxygen is a key element in the treatment of certain medical conditions in the COVID-19 infection."

Green corridors are being created to ensure the fast movement of trains.

The ministry said Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra state governments have approached them to explore whether LMO tankers could be moved in trains.

"After an elaborate meeting with 12 states, central (federal) government did mapping along with state governments on various requirements. 6177 metric tonnes of oxygen has been finalized to be distributed to states," federal Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said. "Maharashtra to get the biggest share of 1500 metric tonnes of oxygen, Delhi to get 350 metric tonnes and Uttar Pradesh to get 800 metric tonnes."

Goyal said the railway ministry was leaving no stone unturned in the battle against COVID-19.

"We will be running oxygen express trains using green corridors to get oxygen in bulk and rapidly to patients," he said.

India is witnessing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases and the government is struggling hard to contain the spread.

Federal health ministry Sunday morning said 261,500 new COVID-19 cases and 1,501 related deaths were registered in the past 24 hours across the country. So far this is the highest single-day spike since the start of the pandemic.

In wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across India have been reporting a shortage of oxygen supply and urged the federal government to replenish the stocks.

The Indian government has decided to import 50,000 MT of medical oxygen to augment its availability in the country.