Ahmedabad: As part of the readiness of the third wave projected with Covid-19 infection, the state government will be set at least 500 oxygen plant pressure swings (PSA) to increase the production capacity of oxygen in the state.
This will take the total amount of oxygen plants to 553 throughout Gujarat.
“At least 300 of these plants have been installed and the work for the remaining is underway.
During the next month and half, the remaining plants will be arranged,” said the State Health Secretary, Jaiprakash Shivahare.
Previously, the state had a plan to produce around 350 new PSA oxygen generator, which has now increased by 500.
“With new plants regulated, the total capacity of oxygen manufacturing in the state will increase to 1,800MT in the state,” further Shivahare added.
While the new PSA plant will have a capacity of 400MT, the existing liquid oxygen manufacturing capability will also be added with an additional 400MT capacity.
Ensuring timely and adequate oxygen supply is one of the main challenges during the second wave of Covid-19 infection because the oxygen daily requirements grew almost seven times in 20 days in April.
Gujarat currently has a minimum of 1,000mt oxygen production capacity, according to the state government source.
The majority is transferred to industrial consumption.
In routine time, consumption of oxygen medical is almost 50mt a day.
New plants that are being assigned include 392 which was established by the government and the rest by the private sector.
During the second wave of Covid-19 infection, the top oxygen requirement per day is 1.173mt.
“Such high capacity is only needed when the case has peaked.
Based on projections, we will make the necessary capacities available that you will prepare in mid-October,” said the source well placed in the state government.