Maharashtra to get biggest share of medical oxygen, says Piyush Goyal

As Maharashtra is facing a huge shortage of oxygen, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday, April 18, assured that the state will get the biggest share of medical oxygen amongst others.

This development comes after the Centre did mapping along with the state governments and UTs most affected by COVID-19 on various requirements. Moreover, a green corridor is being created for the fast movement of 'Oxygen Express Trains' to facilitate the smooth transport of oxygen to states.

Goyal said that 6,177 metric tonnes of oxygen have been finalized to be distributed to states after the meeting.

Maharashtra, which is the worst hit by the pandemic, will get 1500 metric tonnes of oxygen. Meanwhile, Delhi is to get 350 metric tonnes and Uttar Pradesh is to get 800 metric tonnes, Goyal elaborated.

Moreover, the minister said the government is working with the states, shoulder to shoulder, and urged them to take steps against the wastage of medical oxygen. "We are witnessing an unprecedented crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In some states, the cases can be seen going beyond control, like Maharashtra Delhi, and some other states," he said.

Goyal, who is also the Railway Minister, said the states should take steps towards demand control and medical oxygen should be given to needy patients only. Demand-side management is as important as supply-side management. Containing COVID-19 spread is the responsibility of state governments and they should fulfil this responsibility.

Reports of wastage are coming from various places and there are reports that oxygen is being given when a patient does not need it.

Furthermore, the Minister said the government has increased the availability of medical oxygen five times in the past year.

"If cases continue to rise unlimitedly, then it will pose a major challenge for the healthcare infrastructure of the country. We are with the state governments but they need to manage the demand and take concrete steps to contain COVID spread," Goyal mentioned while addressing the media.

Besides, in order to ramp up oxygen supply to all the states, the Centre on Sunday banned the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes except in nine specified industries in view of the shortage of the essential public health commodity in several states amid a spike in COVID-19 infections. The decision will come into effect from April 22.

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