Bengaluru: The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic has hit India hard. 

While the central and state governments are doing their best to supply medical equipment, there is still a crying need for oxygen cylinders, ventilators and concentrators as well. 

The armed forces are doing their bit to ensure that these medical equipment are brought and given to the needy and the necessitous. 

At the same time, companies like Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) are also contributing their might. 

It is airlifting over 4,000 oxygen concentrators into India to address the acute shortage of medical oxygen. 

Swarajya adds that the endeavour has been titled ‘Mission HO2PE’. 

These 4000 concentrators will be sent to the worst affected cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, etc. Portea will have access to 3000 concentrators, which will be provided free of charge to patients. 


Oil and Gas PSUs step in: 

Earlier in the day, reports stated that Oil and Gas PSUs under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, are extending their helping hand to support the nation in its efforts to combat the second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. 

In this regard, they are specifically working to find transportation solutions for Liquid Oxygen, a statement from the ministry said. 

It added that presently, there are 12 tankers and 20 ISO containers with the capacity of 650 MT. The figure is going to improve substantively, with the numbers likely to go up to 26 tankers and 117 ISO containers by the end of this month, with the capacity of 2314 MT.95 ISO Containers are being purchased, with a capacity of 1940 Metric Tonne. Orders have already been placed for 30 ISO Containers, with the capacity of 650 MT while negotiations are underway for the remaining containers.

Orders have been placed for ten thousand cylinders of 40/ 50 litre capacity and 300 cylinders of larger capacity (150 of 500 litre and 150 of 450 litre).  Dispatch of these cylinders is likely to begin soon.