Covid-19: Bhubaneswar airport expected to receive 5,020 oxygen cylinders in a week

BHUBANESWAR: The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar has helped the country by supplying medical essentials to fight against Covid-19.
It will receive a total of 5,020 oxygen cylinders (3,500 pieces of 10 litre seamless cylinders and 1,520 pieces of 46.7 L seamless cylinders) within a week from foreign countries.
To overcome the oxygen crisis in the country, a total of 156 empty oxygen tankers, 526 oxygen concentrators and 140 oxygen cylinders were transported to Bhubaneswar.
These were transported by 75 Indian Air Force aircraft like C17, C130J, AN 32 between April 23 and May 11.
A total of 41 pieces of oxygen concentrators were also transported to the city through various airlines. Empty oxygen tankers were unloaded at the airport to cut the travel time.
These tankers have been loaded with liquid medical oxygen (LMO) from industries in Odisha and dispatched to their destinations.
“Airport Authority of India’s (AAI) Bhubaneswar Airport and its stakeholders have also been playing an active role by facilitating seamless transportation of medical equipment and materials 24x7,” said an official statement, adding, “Transportation of 3,500 pieces of 10 litre seamless cylinder and 1,520 pieces of 46.7 L seamless cylinders are in pipeline and the consignment is expected within a week from foreign countries.”
A total 669 boxes (20.53 MT) of Covid vaccine have been transported through various airlines till May 9 through the BPIA. “All the consignments have come to Odisha,” said airport director Varudu Venkateswara Rao on Thursday.
Bhubaneswar airport has also organised a Covid vaccination camp for employees of AAI and other stakeholders in collaboration and with support from Odisha government taking all safety measures into consideration.