While the second wave of coronavirus struck India and many of its states continue to stare at the scarcity of medical oxygen supply,  the Punjab government on Saturday ordered the closure of operations at the state's iron and steel industry to divert oxygen for medical use. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh also ordered the immediate establishment of oxygen control rooms at the state and district level.

Oxygen along with LPG is used in induction, arc furnaces and rolling mills to cut and shape the iron and steel items to be used by different industry verticals. Iron and steel units are mostly concentrated in Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh.

Ordering closure of industrial operations at iron and steel plants, said the CM in a statement, adding that the state government will convey its decision to the Centre. The move has come hours after six patients died at a private hospital in Amritsar due to oxygen shortage. Taking stock of the situation, the CM said the current allocation of oxygen to Punjab is not sufficient to meet its needs and said he has already taken up the matter with the Centre, seeking an increase in quota on an urgent basis.

The sudden influx of patients from neighbouring states has put an added burden on the oxygen requirements of Punjab, the CM noted.

The CM also asked for a feasibility report from the Power Department on the use of thermal plants for providing oxygen for medical use.

Punjab has witnessed a sharp increase in demand for oxygen over the past a few days. The demand for oxygen currently stands at 250 metric tonnes per day and is further expected to go up to 300 MT in coming days on account of spiralling COVID cases.

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