No power supply, O2 plant nonfunctional

vinder Sood

Palampur, June 18

Despite instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office for speedy installation of medical oxygen plants, the state government has not provided a power connection to a plant in the Civil Hospital, Palampur, set up under the PM CARES Fund.

As per a Central Government’s letter to state governments, it was their responsibility to provide space and infrastructure to the plants. Though the oxygen plant was ready more than 20 days ago, the power connection has not been provided due to official redtape.

The Centre assigned the task to the DRDO to install plants in Civil Hospital, Palampur, in May and directed the Project Manager, NHAI, to undertake the construction of the structure, which had been completed.

There is no headway for the installation of transformer and transmission lines. It was to be inaugurated on May 30 but it could take another month.

SDM Dharmesh Ramotra said the matter was pending for approval with the government. It was expected that plant would be operational in a few days, as the government had released Rs 10 lakh.