“Oxygen” is noted as the imperative element in the treatment of certain medical conditions in the Covid infection. In line with the same gumption, the Indian Railways is all set to run ‘Oxygen Express’ trains for the transport of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders across the nation.
Apropos the ministry of railways statement,” Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra state governments had earlier approached the Railways Ministry to explore whether liquid medical oxygen tankers could be moved by the rail network.”
Acting swiftly on the request from the two states, the Railways immediately explored the technical feasibility of transportation of liquid medical oxygen. It has to be transported through roll-on-roll-off service with road tankers placed on flat wagons.
“Roll-on-Roll-off oxygen trucks getting loaded for Oxygen Express. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Government of India is committed to doing everything possible to help COVID-19 patients,” Railway Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted.
The creation of Green corridor
To ensure faster movement of Oxygen Express trains, the Indian railways is creating a green corridor for the swift supply of oxygen. Following the trails, the railway ministry informed, “empty tankers will commence their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar railway stations in and near Mumbai today to load liquid medical oxygen from Vizag, Jamshedpur, Rourkela and Bokaro.”
The announcement has come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting focusing on boosting the installation of approved medical oxygen plants. To date, 162 PSA oxygen plants are being installed across 32 states and Union territories under the PM CARES Fund along with 1 lakh cylinders being procured, which will be distributed to states soon.
“The Government has exempted all interstate movement of oxygen tankers from registration of permits to enable easier movement. PM was informed that States and transporters have been asked to ensure tankers move round the clock with drivers working in shifts to ensure faster turnaround and adequate capacity to meet the surge in demand,” read a statement of the Prime Minister Office.
The art of transporting oxygen
“Due to restrictions of height of Road Over Bridges and over-head equipment at some locations, the model of road tanker T-1618 with a height of 3,320 mm was placed on flat wagons (DBKM) with a height of 1,290 mm, which is the feasible mode to transport oxygen,” the Indian railways mentioned in a release.
In order to ensure that parameters of transportation are tested, trials were conducted at various locations, the release further added.
A trial was conducted by the Western Railway at Boisar on April 18, where a loaded tanker was placed on a flat DBKM wagon with all the required measurements. The Railways has already placed DBKM wagons at Kalamboli among other locations.
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