How a tough operation rolled out to save patients

A task force went all out and sourced oxygen from the eastern corridor

Immediately after the DMK entered office on May 7, it faced the first litmus test: the second wave of COVID-19 going out of hand and a large quantum of liquid medical oxygen required by government hospitals to save the patients. As the other States faced an oxygen shortage, the Tamil Nadu government formed a task force to draw up a plan to source oxygen from various parts of the country. The task force was headed by Industry Secretary N. Muruganandam and included the then Tangedco Chairman P.K. Bansal, the then Metrowater Executive Director T. Prabhushankar, K. Nanthakumar and several other IAS officials. The State had a total production capacity of 450 metric tonnes of oxygen, in the private sector, and the large number of COVID-19 cases in the first week of May meant the requirement for liquid medical oxygen went up because over 200 metric tonnes was supplied to other southern States, including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Mr. Muruganandam said. The government also foresaw the need for sourcing 200 metric tonnes of oxygen daily from other States. On a letter written by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the Union government allotted oxygen from Odisha and West Bengal. A plan was drawn up to transport oxygen from these States by tying up with Southern Railway, the Indian Air Force and private logistics companies.