Ministry creating drivers’ pool to transport oxygen

Kolkata, May 22

Fearing a third wave of Covid, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is working to create a pool of 2,500 drivers with adequate training and having “hazardous cargo” licence by July for transportation of liquid oxygen for patients.

According to an official spokesman, the ministry has asked states and union territories to create a pool of 500 trained drivers to begin with and increase the number to 2,500 in the next two months.

According to the spokesman, quick and smooth transportation of liquid oxygen to various parts of the country is now of paramount importance in view of the raging pandemic. There is now an urgent need for a large pool of such trained drivers who can supplement or replace existing drivers and be ready for operations round-the-clock.

The ministry with the help of Logistics Sector Skill Council, Indian Chemical Council, National Skill Development Corporation and medical oxygen manufacturers has designed training modules to quickly skill drivers with training in handling hazardous chemicals and liquid medical oxygen through a short programme. The ministry has also recommended special Covid vaccination drive for drivers. — TNS