DTC failed to utilise O2 tankers worth Rs 17.84 crore in 3rd Covid wave: CAG

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) failed to utilise oxygen (O2) tankers worth Rs 17.84 crore which were procured to tackle the third Covid-19 wave four years ago, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Delhi Assembly revealed on Monday.

As per the report, 12 oxygen tankers were supposed to be leased out commercially, but the DTC left them idle, “parked in the open” and “exposed to natural elements” rendering them liable to deterioration.

Notably, Delhi faced a severe shortage of oxygen cylinders during the second wave of Covid-19. The lack of oxygen cylinders, an essential element for treating patients suffering from severe respiratory distress due to coronavirus, had brought the healthcare system to its knees in Delhi.

The crisis reached a critical point when hospitals, including some of the largest and most well-equipped in Delhi, issued desperate pleas to the Central and state governments for help. Social media platforms were flooded with urgent calls for oxygen, with families of patients frantically searching for supplies.

In a bid to prevent such situation in future, the AAP government had in June 2021 decided to procure 25 oxygen tankers of 350 MT capacity to prepare Delhi for a potential third Covid-19 wave and a budgetary provision of funds of Rs 31 crore was made for the same. The requirement was later revised to 12 tankers.

“It was directed that the corporation can also figure out an optimal usage model by leasing these tankers to other states or institutions as per requirement in normal course,” the report read.

After following due procedure, a supply order was placed on bidder (technically qualified single tender) in December 2021 for Rs 17.84 crore.

The CAG observed that 12 oxygen tankers were delivered to the corporation from March 2022 till January 2023. However, all these tankers were not utilised despite explicit direction of the GNCTD for leasing out, the report revealed.

“They remained idle, parked in the open and exposed to natural elements rendering them liable to deterioration. Thus, the corporation failed to utilise any tanker by leasing them out commercially,” the report read.

According to the CAG, the DTC management had in May 2023 accepted the audit observation and stated that “they had initiated the process of leasing out in March 2023. However, no response was received”.