Just a day after Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio sought the assistance of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to airlift equipment for setting up three oxygen plants, the Indian Air Force airlifted 13,000 kg of the consignment on Friday amid a rise in COVID-19 cases.

The three oxygen plants would be set up in Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung under the PM Cares Fund. As per the health department, Nagaland will be setting up 13 oxygen plants across all state districts. The other oxygen plants are to be aided by UNICEF and UNDP.

Rio twitted that, ‘I thank Rajanth Singh ji, Hon’ble Defence Minister of India for ensuring air transport of equipment for the three oxygen plants for Dimapur, Kohima & Mokokchung District Hospitals. This will enable us to have consistent oxygen supply for effective management of COVID-19 cases’.

Nagaland health minister S Pangnyu Phom also informed that the equipment for the Oxygen Generation Plant for Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), District Hospital (DH), Dimapur and DH, Mokokchung landed at Dimapur Airport. The minister informed that the equipment will be shifted to the locations and work for the installations will be carried on a war footing.