Centre asks States to ensure free movement of oxygen carrying vehicles

New Delhi:Union Home Ministry on Friday asked all States and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure free movement of oxygen carrying vehicles without any restriction during inter-state movement or into cities without any restriction of timings.

In a communication to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that the availability of adequate and uninterrupted supply of Medical Oxygen is an important pre-requisite for managing moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. With increasing cases, the medical oxygen supplies will need to keep pace with the requirements of the States, he added.

“No restrictions shall be imposed on oxygen manufacturers and suppliers to limit the oxygen supplies only to the hospitals of the State in which they are located and there shall be free movement of Oxygen carrying vehicles into the cities without any restriction of timings while also enabling inter-city supply without any restriction”, the MHA communication reads further.

Noting that the ‘Medical Oxygen’ is an essential public health commodity and any impediment in the supplies of Medical Oxygen in the country may critically impact the management of patients suffering from COVID-19 disease in other parts of the country, Mr Bhalla asked the States that no restriction would be imposed on the movement of medical oxygen between the States/UTs and the transport authorities shall be instructed accordingly to allow free inter- state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles.

Amid the rising number of Covid cases during the second surge of the Covid 19 pandemic, some states have imposed restrictions such as 'night curfew"and also restricted the movement of vehicles in their respective areas.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday also held a comprehensive review meeting to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply in the country and instructed all stakeholders to ensure synergy across Ministries and State governments for the adequate supply of oxygen.

(UNI)