Railways to run Oxygen Express trains, green corridors created to ensure fast movement

April 18: Amid spiraling coronavirus cases in the country, the demand for medical oxygen in the country has increased manifold. To meet the increasing demand, Railways will run ‘Oxygen Express’ over the next few days to transport liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders across the country. The ministry said that a green corridor is being created to ensure fast movement of Oxygen Express trains, which will ply after the completion of technical trials. Empty tankers will begin their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar railway stations in and near Mumbai on Monday to load liquid medical oxygen Vishakhapatnam, Jamshedpur, Rourkela and Bokaro, officials said.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in a tweet wrote, “Railways is leaving no stone unturned in the battle against COVID-19. We will be running Oxygen express trains using green corridors to get Oxygen in bulk and rapidly to patients.” Officials said that 162 PSA oxygen plants are being installed in 32 states and Union territories from PM CARES and one lakh cylinders are being procured, which will be supplied to states soon.

Railways is leaving no stone unturned in the battle against COVID-19. We will be running Oxygen express trains using green corridors to get Oxygen in bulk and rapidly to patients.

📖 https://t.co/wSOUjGrln7

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 18, 2021

The government is also working towards increasing the number of isolation of beds in the trains, the Union Minister said in another post. More than three lakh isolation beds can be set up – depending on the states demand – Goyal explained. He tweeted, “Govt under PM  @NarendraModi leading the fight against COVID-19: 50 COVID-19 isolation coaches with 800 beds ready at Shakur Basti Station & 25 coaches will be available at Anand Vihar Station in Delhi. Railways can setup >3 lakh isolation beds across the country on States’ demand.”

Roll on Roll off Oxygen trucks getting loaded for Oxygen Express. Under PM @NarendraModi ji's leadership, Govt of India is committed to doing everything possible to help COVID-19 patients. pic.twitter.com/dFgHeKLRxr

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 18, 2021