Mandya: District in-Charge Minister K.C.Narayanagowda performed bhoomi puja for setting up oxygen generating plant in the premises of Mandya Medical College here yesterday.

If everything goes well, the plant will be ready within 45 days. The oxygen plant became a reality due to concerted efforts of the Minister who got it sanctioned from Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

He said till today oxygen was being procured from other districts to Mandya to ensure its availability to the needy people. Instead of depending upon other districts, it was decided to have the own plant in the district. The CM has sanctioned two oxygen generating plants for Mandya, he said.

The oxygen plant in Mandya Medical College will have the capacity to produce 1,000 litres of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and it will start functioning within 45 days. With this, it will be possible to provide oxygen to 100 beds. Another oxygen plant will come up in Malavalli Town with an installed capacity of 490 litres of LMO. Efforts will be made to have such oxygen producing units in all Taluks with a view to becoming self-sufficient in oxygen, he added. 

There has been acute shortage of oxygenated beds due to spike in Corona positive cases. The State Government was making all efforts to manage the situation. Now, oxygen was being given to the needy patients inside the specially designed bus in Bengaluru and the same will be introduced in Mandya too, the Minister said.

MLA M. Srinivas, MLC K.T. Srikantegowda, Mandya Medical College Director Dr. Harish and others were present.