Transport dept now has surplus oxygen tankers

Transport dept now has surplus oxygen tankers

The state transport department, which had issued an order on Sunday inviting applications for tankers on rent to ferry liquid oxygen as the country is witnessing a shortage of gas due to a surge in Covid cases, is yet to receive a proposal. On the first day, the officials received a dozen queries from Rajasthan. The invitation for application is open for individuals as well as organizations from across the country.

Transport commissioner Mahendra Soni told TOI, “In the country, all the states are trying to procure tankers to transport oxygen and we have issued this order as an extra measure in case there is any individual or organization which by any chance has a tanker which has not been used till now. In Rajasthan, at present, we have 27 tankers and are trying to get more. There are four Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) tankers that have to undergo a process called purging (cleaning it with oxygen) so then we can use those as well. The cryogenic tankers used for transporting liquid oxygen are highly specialized and normal tankers cannot be used. We have circulated this order across the country and will pay higher rent as well if required.”