India Inc. turns on the gas to increase oxygen supply

06

Oct

Prakshi Rawat

Major Indian manufacturers, such as Reliance Industries (RIL), are increasing production of liquid medical oxygen to tackle the coronavirus epidemic that has devastated economic growth. The country's largest corporation, Tata Group, is also assisting by importing cryogenic containers to help the country's healthcare system, and is under massive strain due to covid outbreak. Liquid oxygen plants are an essential part in the management of certain illnesses, especially those caused by the coronavirus.

RIL, India's largest firm by market valuation, intends to improve oxygen production capacity to 1 million tons per day. In the aftermath of Covid's broad spread, it installed gear and established processes at its refineries to produce oxygen. It now provides 700 tonnes to states which have been hit hard by the coronavirus. The counties with the most prevalence are Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. “The whole supply of oxygen by RIL is provided for free to the state governments, including shipment in special tankers at minus 183 degrees Celsius” according to PTI, citing sources.

Only specific industries, such as medicines, steel, and petroleum refineries, are authorized to get oxygen from the Centre. However, certain governments, such as Maharashtra, have instructed manufacturers to reroute all supplies in order to maintain the lives of Covid patients. JSW Steel, meanwhile, intends to treble oxygen production plant supplies to 400 tons and is working effectively to raise productivity at all of its factories around the country. In response to the problem, it is currently supplying approximately 185 tons.

According to a photograph released on Tata Group's Twitter account, "we are importing 24 cryogenic containers" through special private planes to supplement the essential supply of oxygen liquid plant to several states. Tankers used to store liquid medicinal oxygen at extremely low temperatures are known as cryogenic containers. Tata Steel, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, has already supplied 3 million tons of oxygen to hospitals across the country. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel has been supplying health institutions in Gujarat with 200 metric tonnes from its Hazira factory.

“The oxygen plant is currently trying to lie shut owing to the decree passed by the (Tamil Nadu government). In his letter to the Tamil Nadu chief minister, Sterlite Copper CEO Pankaj Kumar said, "This is a sincere hope to grant us the necessary license and allow us to run the oxygen production plant, which will be vital in assisting state governments within those difficult times."