Oxygen Express: Railways to create green corridor for fast movement of oxygen

NEW DELHI: Amid reports of oxygen shortfall in several states hit by a spate of Covid infections, the Indian Railways on Sunday said it will run "

Oxygen Express

" trains to transport medical oxygen as well as cylinders across key corridors.


In a statement, the railway ministry said it is fully prepared to transport Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders to ensure adequate supply.

It said that states like Maharashtra and

Madhya

Pradesh had approached the ministry to explore whether liquid oxygen tankers could be moved through trains.

"Railways immediately explored the technical feasibility of transportation of LMO. LMO has to be transported through Roll On Roll Off (RO RO) service with road tankers placed on flat wagons.

"Due to restrictions of height of

Road Over Bridges

(ROBs) and Over Head Equipment (OHE) at certain locations, out of the various specifications of road tankers, the model of road tanker T 1618 with height of 3320 mm was found feasible to be placed on flat wagons (DBKM) with height of 1290 mm," it said.

It said that subsequent trials were conducted at various locations and it was found that it was possible to undertake movement on some sections depending on overhead clearances.

"After completion of technical trials, empty tankers would be moved from Kalamboli/Boisar, Railway stations in and near Mumbai, and sent to Vizag and Jamshedpur/Rourkela/Bokaro, for loading of liquid medical oxygen tankers," it said.

The ministry said that ramps have to be built at Vizag, Angul and Bhilai and the existing ramp at

Kalamboli

needs to be strengthened to facilitate the transporation.

"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," it said.