India Fights Coronavirus: Amid oxygen shortage in parts of India, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is ferrying empty oxygen tankers to filling stations across the country at a time when several states have been ringing SOS calls for medical oxygen.
The Indian Air Force took to Twitter and wrote: "The IAF transport fleet is supporting the fight against Covid-19. Airlift of medical personnel, critical equipment, and medicines is underway for Covid Hospitals and facilities across the country."
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The aircraft C-17, IL-76, C-130 J, AN-32, and AVROS were being used to eliminate supply obstacles in the distribution of medical oxygen, a life-saving resource for critical Covid-19 patients.
A top official of the Defence Ministry stated that the effort was to give logistical help to ease distribution bottlenecks.
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On Thursday, the IAF tweeted: "C-17 and IL-76 aircraft airlifted cryogenic oxygen containers from Air Force Station Hindan to Panagarh for recharging, in support of the fight against Covid-19. Similar airlift tasks are underway across the country."
Oxygen is considered risky to be carried on flights. Though the passenger and freight flights are allowed to carry oxygen cylinders with the transport of what are known as “dangerous goods” on air. However, the permissible quantity is such that it may not help in a public health crisis. It is pertinent to mention that this law does not apply to military aircraft.
In the wake of the current oxygen shortage in India, the transport bottlenecks were a big hurdle in supplying oxygen to hospitals.
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