The Railways will run ‘Oxygen Express’ trains over the following few days to move liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders throughout the nation, the nationwide transporter mentioned on Sunday.
Amid spiralling coronavirus instances within the nation, the demand for medical oxygen within the nation has gone by way of the roof.
Empty tankers will start their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar railway stations in and close to Mumbai on Monday to load liquid medical oxygen from Vizag, Jamshedpur, Rourkela and Bokaro, officers mentioned.
“Roll-on-Roll-off oxygen trucks getting loaded for Oxygen Express. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Government of India is committed to doing everything possible to help COVID-19 patients,” Railway Minister Piyush Goyal mentioned in a tweet.
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra state governments had earlier approached the Railways Ministry to discover whether or not liquid medical oxygen tankers might be moved by the rail community, officers mentioned.
On the receipt of the request from the 2 states, the Railways instantly explored the technical feasibility of transportation of liquid medical oxygen. It needs to be transported by way of roll-on-roll-off service with highway tankers positioned on flat wagons.
“Since the first empty tankers will move on April 19, we hope to begin operations of Oxygen Express over the next few days. We would be able to send oxygen wherever there is such demand. Green corridor is being created for fast movement of Oxygen Express trains,” an official mentioned.
A gathering was held between Railway Board officers and state transport commissioners and representatives of the trade on April 17 on points associated to transportation of liquid medical oxygen.
“Instructions have been issued to zonal railways to make sure readiness to obtain the trailers and cargo them. Ramps need to be constructed at Vizag, Angul and Bhilai and the present ramp at Kalamboli is to be strengthened.
“The Kalamboli ramp can be made prepared by April 19. Ramps at different places would even be prepared in a few days by the point the tankers attain these places.
“Due to restrictions of height of Road Over Bridges and over-head equipment at certain locations, the model of road tanker T-1618 with a height of 3,320 mm was found feasible to be placed on flat wagons (DBKM) with a height of 1,290 mm,” the railways mentioned in an announcement.
In order to make sure that parameters of transportation are examined, trials had been carried out at numerous places, it mentioned.
On April 18 a trial was organised by the Western Railway at Boisar the place a loaded tanker was positioned on a flat DBKM wagon and all of the required measurements had been taken.
The Railways have already positioned DBKM wagons at Kalamboli and at different places. The Railways is awaiting recommendation from Maharashtra to maneuver the tankers.
A tentative motion plan has been made for dispatching 10 empty tankers on April 19, the Railways mentioned.
“The transport secretary of Maharashtra has assured to provide the tankers by April 19,” it mentioned.
In order to allow industrial reserving and freight cost for roll-on-roll-off motion of liquid medical oxygen in cryogenic tankers, the Railway Ministry had issued a round on April 16 offering all mandatory particulars and steering on the matter.
Zonal railways have been knowledgeable in regards to the calls for from states.