Amid spiralling Covid cases and reports of shortage of oxygen supply for the patients across several states, the Indian Railways is all set to operate ‘Oxygen Express’ trains for the transport of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders, said the ministry of railways in a statement. Availability of oxygen is a key element in the treatment of certain medical conditions in the Covid infection.
The release stated that the state governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh had approached the Railway Ministry to see whether LMO tankers could be moved by Railways.
The ministry said that a green corridor is being created to ensure fast movement of Oxygen Express trains, which will ply after the completion of technical trials. Following the trials, the railway ministry said, “empty tankers would be moved from Kalamboli, and Boisar railway stations in and near Mumbai, and sent to Vizag and Jamshedpur, Rourkela, and Bokaro, for loading of liquid medical oxygen tankers.”
“Due to restrictions of height of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Over Head Equipment (OHE) at certain locations, out of the various specifications of road tankers, the model of road tanker T 1618 with height of 3320 mm was found feasible to be placed on flat wagons (DBKM) with height of 1290 mm,” the release added.
In order to ensure that parameters of transportation are tested, trials were conducted at various locations. This DBKM wagon was placed at Kalamboli goods shed in Mumbai and a T 1618 tanker loaded with LMO was also brought here. Joint measurements were taken by representatives of Industry and Railways.
The Centre has also allowed industrial cylinders to be used for medical oxygen after due purging. “Similarly nitrogen and argon tankers will be automatically allowed to be converted to oxygen tankers to overcome the potential shortage of tankers,” the statement added.
