State gasps for oxygen, Capt seeks PM, Shah’s urgent intervention

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday sought the immediate intervention of both the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen to the state, along with additional allocation of 50 MT liquid medical oxygen (LMO) from a nearby source and 20 additional tankers (preferably conducive to rail travel) for timely evacuation of LMO from Bokaro.

Expressing deep concern over the imminent loss of lives due to oxygen shortage across the state, the Chief Minister said with mounting caseload, he was unable to increase Level 2 and Level 3 beds due to oxygen availability constraints. The state was facing the prospect of shortage of oxygen beds, he said, pointing out that the Government of India had expressed its inability to even allow Punjab’s local industry to undertake commercial import of LMO from Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border, which is geographically proximate.

Pointing out that Punjab had now been given to understand by the Centre that there would be likely disruption of LMO supply from today from Panipat and Barotiwala, the Chief Minister said this would cause great stress on the already limited oxygen availability in the state, thus causing a medical emergency, including risk of loss of life for the large number of patients who are in critical condition and on regular oxygen support. The disruption should be avoided, he said, adding that, if necessary, the state must be compensated immediately from a nearby additional source.

Status of life-saving gas

• 225 MT is the daily consumption of oxygen in the state
• 195 MT  is the total oxygen allocation from outside the state
• 90 MT comes from Bokaro, 105 MT from Haryana, Himachal & U’khand
• 80 MT is generated daily within the state
• 10,000 Covid patients on oxygensupport in the state currently