The Delhi high court on Saturday asked Delhi government to set up its own oxygen plant and mentioned that a smooth and fully allocated supply of oxygen to Delhi can resolve many problems.
Regarding the shortage of oxygen in the capital a division bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rekha Palli was hearing as plea by Maharaja Agarsen Hospital today.
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for the Delhi government, said that out of allocated 480MT, Delhi is getting 350-380MT.
Mehra told the court, “Yesterday we received 295 MT. Instead of increasing, the MT gets reduced.”
“This entire functioning will collapse in 24 hours if we do not put our house in order,” he said.
Delhi HC asked the Centre when is the allocated 480 MT of oxygen coming to Delhi. Where the court said the smooth and full allocated supply of oxygen to Delhi can resolve seceral problems.
“Whatever is going to be the intake, we will supply, however, we cannot create oxygen out of thin air,” Mehra further said.
However, it is asked by the Delhi government by the high court to set up its own oxygen plant stating that the responsibility falls on them too.
Because of the high number of cases across the country there is a shortage of tankers informed the MHA officials to Delhi HC. However, he said that the state governments are working very hard for it.
On which the Delhi HC suggested that the central government and Delhi government should work together to ensure smooth supply of oxygen to hospitals.
Moreover, it was informed by the Delhi government counsel that two industrialists have been contacted but most state governments have already taken the tankers.
“We are doing whatever best,” he added.
The HC recorded that according to Delhi government chart till night 309 MT oxygen was supplied only and further informed that they should make all-out efforts for obtaining cryogenic tankers for transportation of oxygen from the production plants.
Earlier in an affidavit, the Centre told the Delhi high court that with regard to enhancing the availability of medical oxygen it is submitted that in order to increase the capacity of medical oxygen in Delhi which is one of the important components for saving the life of the patients, eight Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Generation plants are being installed in Delhi by the support of PM CARES Funds.
The capacity of medical oxygen would be enhanced by 14.4 metric tonnes these plants it was reported.
As on date, one plant at Burari Hospital, Kaushik Enclave has been installed. By April 30, other four plants are expected to be installed.
On April 19, the site readiness certificate for one site has been received and the remaining are still awaited from the Delhi government.
Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday wrote to his counterparts in other states and Union territories requesting them to send the surplus of oxygen they may have to the Capital as the city faces acute shortage to treat critically ill Covid-19 patients.
I am writing to all CMs requesting them to provide oxygen to Delhi, if they have spare. Though Central govt. is also helping us, the severity of corona is such that all available resources are proving inadequate.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 24, 2021