As the third wave of COVID-19 is likely to hit Mumbai in the month of October, the BMC intends to increase the oxygen production capacity. During the second wave of COVID-19, Mumbai city struggled with oxygen. It is said that by October the production will be from three metric tonnes a day to 178 MT a day.
It was during the first wave that there was a need to increase the steady supply of oxygen however it was only during the second wave hospitals reported having an increase in the number of patients with lung infections while the hospitals in the city struggled with the lack of oxygen.
Reportedly, in April a number of patients were shifted from municipal hospitals to other centres where there was the availability of oxygen. To avoid such an experience again, BMC has decided to ramp up production. According to the officials, they have already built up nine new plants.
Earlier, there were only two plants at Jogeshwari’s HBT Trauma Hospital and another one at Kasturba Hospital. While talking to the media, the additional commissioner of BMC P Velarasu in charge of the project department said, “Nine new plants along with two existing plants are already installed. Plants with a capacity of 55.5 MT are already created and other plants with a capacity of 119.2 MT are in pipeline”.
On Sunday, Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray while inaugurating a virtual medical conference said on the basis of the availability of oxygen, steps will be taken in easing COVID-19 restrictions in the state.
He also added that it is “up to the people to prevent or invite a 'third wave' of the pandemic”.
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