Indian Railways is getting ready to transport Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders across the key corridors in the country as the nation is witnessing a continuous rise in covid-19 cases.

Availability of oxygen is a key element in the treatment of certain medical conditions in the Covid infection. Amid spiralling coronavirus cases in the country, the demand for medical oxygen in the country has gone through the roof.

Railway Ministry stated that, ’Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra state governments had approached Ministry of Railways to explore whether liquid medical oxygen (LMO) tankers could be moved by Railways’.

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, later they added.

In order to ensure that parameters of transportation are tested, trials were conducted at various locations. This DBKM wagon was placed at Kalamboli goods shed in Mumbai on 15.04.2021 and a T 1618 tanker loaded with LMO was also brought here. Joint measurements were taken by representatives of Industry and Railways.

According to a railway official, ’It was decided that the tankers would be organized by Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra. These empty tankers would be moved from Kalamboli to Boisar, Railway stations in and near Mumbai, and sent to Vizag and Jamshedpur to Rourkela and Bokaro for loading of liquid medical oxygen tankers from there’.