Chennai, May 4 (UNI) The Indian Air Force (IAF) today airlifted
two containers containing 450 empty oxygen cylinders from the
United Kingdom and cryogenic oxygen cylinders from Germany
and it landed here today morning.
Airport sources said the two IAF aircraft--one from UK and the
other from Germany--arrived here.
The 450 cylinders from UK came via Cairo.
The cylinders, each holding about 46 litres, were airlifted on the IAF
IFC-7221 aircraft and the Indian Red Cross Society collected the
cylinders at the airport.
Chennai Customs in a tweet said 'IAF flight carrying first batch of
oxygen cylinders from UK, landed in Chennai International airport
early this morning. Chennai Customs completed all customs
clearances within 15 minutes'.
Expressing gratitude to the UK, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted: "Showcasing the potential
of Indo-UK partnership to fight the pandemic. An IAF aircraft carrying
450 oxygen cylinders arrives in Chennai (India). Grateful to UK for
the support."
Another 450 cylinders of the same capacity later reached Chennai.
IAF also airlifted 4 cryogenic oxygen cylinders from Germany in its
C-17 planes.
Soon after the arrival of the cylinders, Customs authorities quickly
completed all the clearances and later handed them over to the
Indian Red Cross Society.
As there has been rapid increase in daily covid case load tally, the
demand for oxygen supply has been on the rise.
The Central government has directed the industries to produce
medical oxygen.
Besides, India has been receiving assistance in terms of medical
equipments, oxygen tankers, empty oxygen cylinders from many
countries.
UNI XC-GV 1602