DDMA appoints IAS officers for smooth movement of oxygen tankers in Delhi

Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday, issued new directives for the Delhi Police to track the entry and exit of all the oxygen tankers through the various checkpoints and monitor their movement in Delhi.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday issued new directives regarding the supply and allocation of oxygen across Delhi. The order stated the appointment of two senior bureaucrats as nodal officers to ensure smooth movement of tankers and facilitate oxygen supply to city hospitals. It further directed the Delhi Police to provide security logistics from manufacturers’ sites to various health facilities in the national capital, reported the news agency ANI.

The landmark move comes hours after Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the police force in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana were blocking oxygen transport to the national capital. He then urged the Centre to ensure normal supply even if that meant taking the help of paramilitary forces.

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The order issued on Thursday said that the Delhi Police will keep a track of the entry and exit of all the oxygen tankers through the various checkposts to monitor their movement.

The DDMA has also set up a control room which will be operated round-the-clock to redress grievances and complaints from city hospitals within 30 minutes, stated the order issued on Thursday.

It also maintained that the Delhi Police will share the record of entry and exit of all oxygen tankers immediately with the control room, reported the news agency ANI.

Delhi has witnessed an unprecedented spike in the Covid-19 cases which has ultimately resulted in an increased demand for oxygen and other medical supplies in the city. The union territory’s situation has been concerning and the Delhi government has been trying its best to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the national capital.

To ensure the smooth supply of oxygen across the UT, DDMA appointed Senior IAS officer Udit Prakas who will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and seamless movement of tankers till borders of Delhi and sort out all issues pertaining to suppliers, states and the central government.

IAS officer Vijay Bidhuri will be responsible for controlling, coordinating and facilitating the supply of oxygen to health establishments, added the order issued by DDMA on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday held the hearing of an urgent application over the shortage of oxygen supply and directed the central government to supply medical oxygen to Max hospitals in the national capital at the earliest using any means necessary.