NLC to set up oxygen plants in Neyveli, Thoothukudi and seven other sites.

With a view to augment the supply of medical oxygen, Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) NLC India Ltd. (NLCIL) is in the process of setting up nine Pressure Swing Adsorption Medical Oxygen Plants at its project sites, including Neyveli and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, and sites across the country.

Tenders have been floated for the plants and once the process is completed, they will be set up within a month.

The move is in line with the direction of the Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi to PSUs under its fold to set up oxygen plants to meet the rise in demand for medical oxygen in hospitals across the country.

“Initially, NLCIL has planned to set up nine plants with capacity of 12 NM3/hour to 30 NM3/hour based on the requirement at different locations. Two plants of 12 NM3/hour capacity costing ₹25 to ₹30 lakhs will be installed at the NLCIL Hospital in Neyveli while three plants of 30 NM3/hour capacity costing ₹65 lakhs to ₹70 lakhs each will be installed in Chennai. The plants in Chennai will be installed in Government General Hospitals identified by the State government,” Rakesh Kumar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the NLCIL, told The Hindu.

The NLCIL will also be setting up three oxygen plants each in Rajasthan and through its subsidiary Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited in Uttar Pradesh.

The Navaratna undertaking has business operations in Neyveli and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and in a small way in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The plants will be funded through the PSU’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the fiscal 2021-22.

Mr. Kumar, who is directly monitoring the Hospitals in the company keeping in view the pandemic situation, has deputed Sh. Sathyamurthy, Chief General Manager (HR), as incharge of the Hospital Administration.

THE HINDU