Centre asks Delhi govt to give details on O2 buffer

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday told Delhi High Court that it has asked the Aam Aadmi Party government to furnish details of efforts made till now to create a buffer stock of medical oxygen. The oxygen’s shortage had led to several deaths during the Covid-19 second wave.
Its reply came in response to a query from the court earlier about what the Centre is doing to ensure there is proper supply and availability of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in Delhi. While monitoring Covid management of Delhi on a PIL filed by advocate Rakesh Malhotra, the court had warned that another “shortage” would not be tolerated.
The Centre said that in order to examine the preparations of the AAP government on creation of buffer storage of LMO as well as requirement of cryogenic tankers, the ministry of health and family welfare had written to the state government on July 14 seeking details of such preparations. “Further, the ministry is also organising a meeting with the concerned authorities of Delhi government along with other concerned stakeholders to discuss the details of preparations and to assess the adequacy thereof,” the reply stated.
The Centre further informed Delhi High Court that it has roped in AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria, who is also the chairperson of the sub-committee on oxygen requirement for Delhi, to examine the study report prepared by IIT Delhi on the oxygen supply chain management.
The high court had last week asked the AAP government to file a status report on the buffer stock and give details of the locations of storage tanks and how much quantity of LMO is being stored there. It had then also asked the Centre to file a status report in response to recommendations made by IIT Delhi on oxygen storage in the national capital. IIT-D, in its report, has proposed certain steps to be taken by the central government.
The AAP government had earlier given details of steps taken to augment LMO, claiming it now has 419 metric tonnes as buffer. It said 171MT buffer stock had been installed and it was in the process of installing another 150MT.
Since there was no response yet from the Centre on the matter, the court had recently asked about the steps taken in terms of the Supreme Court’s April 30 order on a buffer stock of LMO in Delhi, saying it has been pending for a long time and the city must be prepared for a third wave.
The high court also stressed that during the second wave, “the problem/bottleneck was LMO reaching Delhi.” “Authorities must work towards ensuring a proper supply, storage and availability of liquid oxygen in the city.”