NHAI: No toll fee for tankers carrying oxygen

Amid the raging second wave of Covid-19, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to exempt oxygen tankers from toll fees on national highways. The decision has been taken to ensure the uninterrupted movement of these vehicles. This move came to action within a few days after NHAI announced the construction of 500 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants with the help of its contractors. A report from NHAI said that the current unprecedented demand for medical oxygen across the country, due to Covid-19, tankers and containers transporting liquid medical oxygen would be treated at par just like other emergency vehicles such as ambulances for the next two months or until further orders. NHAI told the media that exemption of toll fees would ensure faster movement of medical oxygen on the highways. Even though toll plazas have no waiting time as such after the implementation of FASTag, NHAI is already providing priority passage to such vehicles for quick and seamless transportation of medical oxygen. The demand for liquid medical oxygen (LMO) has risen because of the pandemic. NHAI cited the importance of transporting LMO on time to hospitals and medical centers to save the lives of patients critically affected by Covid-19. NHAI has issued instructions to all its officials and stakeholders to support the government in the fight against Covid-19. This week, NHAI would finish civil works of 581 PSA oxygen plants. The plants would be placed in the districts within 15 days of getting to the site. NHAI will station the contractors of its projects under implementation near the sites for faster execution. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will identify the oxygen sites and, then they will be constructed near the district hospitals. Image Source Also read: Govt provides relief in GST timelines to businesses hit by Covid-19 Also read: Covid-19 second wave: State govts offer assistance to construction workers