Covid-19: Karnataka asks steel mills to step up oxygen production, divert part of it to hospitals

The Karnataka Government has asked steel mills to divert a part of their liquified oxygen, used for producing raw steel, to hospitals to provide succour to patients suffering from Covid-19 infection.

Mines Minister Murugesh R Nirani told mediapersons on Wednesday that he has asked steel companies to step up production of oxygen and supply to hospitals on a priority basis.

A day after JSW Steel agreed to supply 400 metric tonnes of liquified oxygen, Baldota (MSPL) too has offered to provide unspecified quantity of oxygen, the minister said.


Nirani said he will talk to health minister K Sudhakar and assess how much oxygen the state's hospitals would need immediately to overcome the shortage.

Industries minister Jagadish Shettar too has said the government will give all permissions within six days for investors starting new oxygen units.

The surge in Covid cases has led to a severe shortage of oxygen in the state. Bengaluru, which has been getting 330 tonnes of oxygen, would get 40 tonnes more, according to the government.

As on April 14, the number of oxygen-supported beds in Karnataka was 39,549, besides an additional 9,000 ICU beds, beds with ventilators, etc. The state requires about 1,239 tonnes of oxygen a day. About 11.5% of active cases in Karnataka require oxygen beds, according to latest data.