In order to tackle the demand of medical oxygen in the state, the government has planned to set up 16 oxygen production plants across several municipal hospitals in the city. Officials have confirmed that their testing would be conducted on Sunday, August 15, 2021, and the plants will be operational by Tuesday, August 17, 2021.
Reports state that these plants have the capacity to produce 48 metric tonnes of oxygen per day. Information regarding the same was shared by Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani. Mumbai has seen a signifiant drop in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, however, the demand for medical oxygen saw a significant rise due to the second wave of the pandemic. Several patients died due the unavailability of oxygen at the treatment centres.
Considering the same and keeping the predicted third COVID-19 wave in mind, the corporation has decided to take necessary steps and has been preparing to become self-sufficient with regards to oxygen production. The project to generate the same and purchase of liquid cylinder will also be done at the municipal hospital.
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Reports released in April, 2021 showed that the daily demand for oxygen was 270 metric ton and considering this, a total of 16 locations have been selected to absorb atmospheric air and produce oxygen from it. These locations are present at 12 hospitals run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Oxygen refilling stations are being set up at the expense of CSR and the municipal funds. Seven plants have been set up using the CSR fund across three hospitals - Kasturba, Bhabha and Cooper - in Mumbai, while efforts are underway to generate 41 metric tonnes of oxygen from nine more plants in other locations.
The civic body has also drafted a proposal to set up 45 more such projects worth approximately INR 240 crore. Discussions will be held regarding the same and the government will take a decision post due consideration.
During the first COVID-19 wave, oxygen was being supplied via two suppliers using 10 to 13 kiloliters tanks. Report state that a total of 21 such tanks were used. As per the new launch, the municipality plans to install four such tanks of 13 kiloliters at Goregaon Nesco, Worli NSCI, Richardson & Crudas at Byculla and Somaiya Jumbo Covid Center. The filling center will be set up at Mahalakshmi with an aim to fill 100 dura cylinders on a daily basis.
Also Read: Private hospital in Mumbai becomes first to set up a PSA Oxygen Generation Plant
Cylinder gas, along with piped liquid gas, will also be stockpiled considering the possibility of third COVID-10 wave. Moreover, the department is also working towards procuring 200 liter capacity micro portable liquid cylinders.
Meanwhile, the BMC has commenced work for double oxygen supply and as per the new scheme, the civic body will be able to offer 400 MT of oxygen in the city.
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