Railways to run Oxygen Express to solve oxygen shortage | Fusion - WeRIndia

Amid the surge of COVID-19 cases, Indian Railways decided to transport Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders across the country.

Several states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh are facing a severe scarcity of LMO due to rising COVID-19 cases.

As oxygen is one of the vital elements to treat COVID-19 patients and the demand for it has been increasing over the past few months, the decision of Railways benefits many patients across the country.

Ministry of Railways released a press note saying that the state governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh enquired whether Railways could move liquid medical oxygen (LMO) tankers.

After exploring the feasibility of transportation of LMO, Railways decided to transport it through Roll On Roll Off (RO-RO) service with road tankers placed on flat wagons.

Railway Board officials discussed this matter with State Transport Commissioners and other representatives in a meeting conducted two days ago. It was decided that the Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra would organize the tankers.

The empty tankers will start their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar, Railway stations in and near Mumbai today to load LMO from Vizag, Jamshedpur, Rourkela, and Bokaro.

The decision has been informed to zonal railways. They were given instructions on building or strengthening ramps for the movement of tankers.

A green corridor will be created at railway stations for faster movement of trains. Ramps will be ready in a couple of days for the movement of tankers.

A trial was conducted yesterday at Boisar to check the transport of a loaded tanker on a flat DBKM wagon.

Besides, DBKM wagons have kept at various railway stations as the tankers would be moved soon. Railways is waiting for the decision of the Maharashtra government as Transport Secretary, Maharashtra assured to provide tankers today. Railways wants to send 10 empty tankers initially.

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