On Thursday, Mekapati Goutham Reddy, the industries Minister of Andhra Pradesh, said that there is no dearth of oxygen in the state. Several states all over the country are facing a severe shortage of oxygen, which is used to treat Coronavirus when the infected person is suffering from a severe case of breathing problem.
Reddy said that AP is producing 510 MT of medical oxygen in 40 companies and that oxygen would be supplied to other states from Andhra Pradesh, only after the requirements in the state are met with. He said that the districts of Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, and Kurnool are currently facing a severe shortage in the levels of oxygen.
RINL, Allen Berry, and Liquinox Gases are the companies that majorly produce oxygen in AP. While 50% of RINL’s oxygen is being supplied to Maharashtra, the rest of the oxygen being supplied by RINL and the other two companies is being used for AP.
Rayalaseema, which was in need of oxygen, was saved when 68 MT of oxygen arrived from Ballari. Officials have been instructed to use the oxygen being produced at the MedTech zone as well. MedTech zone CEO Jitendra Sharma said that 2,400 cubic meters of oxygen will be produced from May 1st, at the zone.
Reddy also said that instructions have been given to produce large quantities of oxygen, at 20-30 plants within the next 2-3 months, and to produce at 300MT of oxygen on a daily basis.
On the other hand, Liquinox Gas official Rajesh Babu said that the company is supplying oxygen to 12 hospitals in the Srikakulam district, and said that the company will rise its production from 40MT to 50MT.