By: Pravin Prashant
Last updated : May 11, 2021 10:40 am
Enhancing Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) by higher production; increasing imports and setting up PSA plants; strengthening tanker availability by converting nitrogen and argon tankers; stepping up last mile infrastructure; training drivers and relaxation of GFR Rules has helped India
In order to address the surge in demand for Liquid Medical Oxygen in India, the central government undertook various measures to increase its availability by increasing production, streamlining distribution, strengthening oxygen storage infrastructure at the last mile, and easing norms for procurement.
Increasing Production
Oxygen production increased from 5,700 MT/day in August 2020 to 9,446 MT/day in May 2021. The production capacity has increased from 6,817 MT/ day to 7,314 MT/day and capacity utilization has gone up from 84% to 129% during this period.
Steel companies (public and private sectors) have stepped up their efforts to meet the nation’s requirement of medical oxygen. The total Liquid Medical Oxygen supply per day has increased from an average 1,500-1,700 MT in mid-April to 3,132 MT on 25th April and further to 4,077 MT on 4th May 2021.
Supply of oxygen for non-essential industrial purposes has also been prohibited with effect from 22nd April, 2021, resulting in 1,000 MT of additional oxygen availability. The steel sector is also planning additional capacity expansion of 630 MT/day.
The government is also importing 50,000 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen from overseas, with orders and delivery schedule for 5,800 MT finalized. The Ministry of External Affairs is actively assisting in securing sources of oxygen from abroad. To expedite the process, quotations were obtained and three quotations have been received for 3,500 MT and has been approved with delivery over 3 months. In addition, 2,285 MT of LMO is being imported from UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and France, a part of which has already arrived.
Commensurate with the increase in production and demand, LMO sales in the country also increased from 1,300 MT/day in March 2021 to 8,920 MT/day on 6th May 2021.
Setting up of 1,594 PSA Plants
Oxygen availability in India has also increased by setting up of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plants and procurement of Oxygen Concentrators.
The government is establishing 1,594 PSA Plants to improve oxygen supply near demand clusters. This includes 162 plants under
PM-Cares through Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) sanctioned in 2020, 551 under PM-Cares through MoHFW sanctioned in March 2021, 500 under PM-Cares through DRDO sanctioned on 27 Apr 2021, 100 by Oil & Gas companies under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and rest by states themselves.
74 of the 162 PSA plants have been installed and the rest will be installed by June 2021. 1,051 additional PSA Plants sanctioned under PM-Cares Fund in March & April 2021 will be commissioned in the next three months in phases.
Procurement of Oxygen Concentrators
Procurement of one lakh Oxygen Concentrators has been sanctioned under PM-Cares Fund. The Expression of Interest was issued and an offer has been received for 2,500 units. Offers for 50,000 concentrators have been received from domestic manufacturers. Awards for 9,800 units have been finalized with delivery schedules of 4,800 units on 15th May 2021 and 5,000 units on 27th May 2021.
In addition, 55 bidders have expressed interest to supply 70,000-75,000 units of concentrators. Orders are being finalized and will be placed based on the promised delivery schedule.
Enhancing Storage
Number of cryogenic tanks for storing oxygen at hospitals has increased to 901 from 609 since March 2020. Availability of medical oxygen cylinders has increased from 4.35 Lakh in March 2020 to 11.19 Lakh in May 21. Additional, 3.35 Lakh cylinders are being procured in line with estimated increase in demand.
Orders have been placed for additional 127,000 cylinders on 21st April. DRDO is procuring 10 lakh NRM valves under PM-Cares Fund. This device will reduce wastage of oxygen by shutting out the supply during exhalation.
Increasing Tanker Availability
For enhancing tanker availability to streamline transportation, Nitrogen and Argon tankers have been converted into oxygen tankers. The government has also imported tankers and containers and also increasing domestic manufacturing of tankers. Transportation of rail and air transportation of tankers is being undertaken to reduce the turnaround time.
In March 2020, the capacity of tankers was 12,480 MT and their number was 1,040. Now, the capacity of tankers has gone up to 23,056 MT and their number has increased to 1681, which includes 408 converted tankers and 101 imported tankers. 408 out of the 1,105 Nitrogen and Argon tankers have been converted into oxygen carrying tankers so far and another 200 tankers will be converted shortly.
248 oxygen tankers are being imported, with 101 tankers imported so far and another 58 tankers to be imported in the next 10 days. In addition, 100 tankers are being manufactured domestically.
Indian Railways are being used for long distance transport of tankers through Roll on – Roll Off service. Till date, Indian Railways has delivered nearly 4,200 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen in more than 268 tankers to various states across the country. 68 Oxygen Expresses have already completed their journey so far.
Air lifting of empty tankers is being done to plants to reduce the turnaround time. 282 tankers with 5,505 MT capacity have been airlifted, transporting LMO in domestic routes. 75 containers with capacity 1,293 MT have been imported from overseas through Indian Air Force (IAF). In addition, 1,252 oxygen cylinders, 3 oxygen generation plants have been imported through IAF.
Oxygen Tracking System Launched
Oxygen Digital Tracking System (ODTS) has been set up for real time monitoring and driver availability is being enhanced with training of MHV drivers.
A web and app based Oxygen Digital Tracking System has been launched to enable real time tracking of oxygen movement in the country. ODTS enables real-time tracking of oxygen movement in the country from plants to states. It integrates with GSTN database for E-way bill based data entry, tracking of tankers through GPS, SIM (Driver Mobile No.), FASTag, and automated alerts from the system for route deviation, unintended stoppages and delays.
Besides, a Virtual Central Control Room has been established with officers from Additional/Joint secretary officers of Health, Road, Rail, Industry, Steel and from State Govt. The Control Room is monitoring oxygen movement 24X7 and to resolve any issues in oxygen transportation.
Training Drivers
2,500 additional drivers are being trained to drive oxygen tankers by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSSC). Availability of skilled drivers is essential to ensure uninterrupted transportation of oxygen. Since LMO Transportation is covered under Hazardous Chemicals regulations, drivers with adequate training and having HAZ Cargo license only are allowed to operate the trucks.
Immediate focus is to make the Training Module have been developed by NSDC and LSSC in English and Hindi and 20 master trainers identified. Online Refresher courses planned for non-active drivers with training in handling HAZ chemicals. 73 locations have been identified for organizing physical training programs for drivers along with oxygen plants.
Relaxation of GFR Rules
To expedite procurement of critical supplies, General Financial Rules (GFR) have been relaxed to expedite procurement of critical supplies for COVID-19 management. All restrictive provisions have been removed to enable larger participation and faster procurement. Bank guarantees have been waived off for all procurement. 100% payment of advance has been approved for critical COVID procurement. Procurement on nomination basis has been permitted in case of constrained supply market.
All the above steps by the central government will definitely help India to tide over the present Liquid Medical Oxygen crisis and will also help in managing future requirements of LMO coming from COVID-19 pandemic.