On the receipt of the request from the two States, the Railways immediately explored the technical feasibility of transportation of liquid medical oxygen.
Recently the national transporter said, The Railways will run ‘Oxygen Express’ over the next few days to trasport liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders across the country. Because of Amid spreding of coronavirus cases in the country, the demand for medical oxygen in the country has gone through the roof.
Officials said, on Monday empty tankers will begin their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar railway stations near Mumbai to load liquid medical oxygen to Vishakhapatnam, Jamshedpur, Rourkela and Bokaro. Further they said, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra State governments had earlier approached the Railways Ministry to explore whether liquid medical oxygen tankers could be moved by the rail network.
Further they said, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra State governments had earlier approached the Railways Ministry to explore whether liquid medical oxygen tankers could be moved by the rail network.
On the receipt of the request from the two States, the Railways immediately explored the technical feasibility of transportation of liquid medical oxygen. It has to be transported through roll-on-roll-off service with road tankers placed on flat wagons. On this an official said, “Since the first empty tankers will move on April 19, we hope to begin operations of Oxygen Express over the next few days. We would be able to send oxygen wherever there is such demand. Green Corridor is being created for fast movement of Oxygen Express trains”.
A meeting was held between Railway Board officials and State transport commissioners and representatives of the industry on April 17 on issues related to transportation of liquid medical oxygen. The Railway Ministry also said that,”Instructions have been issued to zonal railways to ensure readiness to receive the trailers and load them back. Ramps have to be built at Vizag, Angul and Bhilai and the existing ramp at Kalamboli is to be strengthened. The Kalamboli ramp would be made ready by April 19. Ramps at other locations would also be ready in a couple of days by the time the tankers reach those locations”.
Ramps at other locations would also be ready in a couple of days by the time the tankers reach those locations”.
