Oxygen for non-critical Industries may be restricted

The government is likely to restrict the supply of oxygen to non-critical industries to direct supplies to the healthcare sector, amid increasing demand due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are making an assessment and, if needed, supplies to industries for whom oxygen is a non-critical input may be restricted for some time," a senior government official said.

The government has asked industry bodies to identify such industries as part of the assessment exercise.


There are some industries that can manage with alternatives to oxygen as an input, the official said, adding that they would be asked to switch to those as part of the plan.

The official said the Indian Railways could be used to move oxygen to states that report a sudden demand surge.

The government is keeping a close watch on the situation with an empowered group of secretaries conducting a review on a regular basis, the official added.

Maharashtra has reported a shortage of oxygen supply and sought to restrict supply to the industry.