Chandigarh, May 21 (UNI) The Markfed has proved equal to the task of adequate ensuring oxygen supplies to Punjab through ‘Oxygen Express’ from Bokaro and Hazira in the wake of spurt in Covid-19 cases and shortage of oxygen.
Stating this here on Friday, Cooperation and Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that the state government had assigned the task of ferrying oxygen to Markfed which proved its capabilities by organising arrangements of Oxygen in short period of two days.
”Liasioning and coordination with Railway/CONCOR across different divisions (Northern/Western/Eastern) was a challenge besides completion of all statuary compliances and taking services of handlers on board in a short period but Markfed rose to the occasion like a true warrior”, he said.
The Minister said that during the pandemic , supply of Oxygen emerged as main component to save the lives of thousands of people suffering from Covid-19. Unfortunately, Punjab does not have even a single major Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) manufacturing plant compelling the State to lift the allocation from Bokaro/Hazira, which are at distance of 1500 km, through cryogenic tankers which makes handling of LMO even tougher, revealed Mr Randhawa adding four more containers are being added to augment the supply of Oxygen in the state.
Meanwhile, Markfed deputed two teams of officials to Bokaro and Hazira for coordination and arrangements for supply and distribution of LMO. Besides, a team of Markfed officers at Head office under the guidance of Markfed Managing Director Varun Roojam, is working day and night to make this task a success.
It may be recalled that the state government directed Markfed on May 13 for arrangement and supply of oxygen through railways. By making all out efforts, Markfed team ensured that first Oxygen express was rolled out Ex-Dappar for Bokaro on May 14 midnight and the same was received back at Phillaur on May 17 after filling Oxygen from Bokaro.
Besides, the second Oxygen express was received at Bathinda Cantt from Hazira on May 19 while the third Oxygen express was received at Phillaur from Bokaro on May 20.
Likewise, the fourth Oxygen express has left Bathinda Cantt for filling at Hazira on May 20 and shall be back at Bathinda on May 22.
