After Max Hospital Patparganj moving the Delhi High Court (HC) last evening over the shortage of medical oxygen, another city-based hospital, Saroj Super Specialty Hospital, Rohini, has moved the Delhi HC today seeking urgent critical supply of oxygen to it.

Saroj Super Speciality Hospital said that at 10 am today, April 22, it had liquid medical oxygen supply of 60 minutes left. It later arranged some oxygen which, the hospital administration said, will last another few hours at the most and is likely to run out in the afternoon.

The Delhi HC was scheduled to hear the petition on COVID19 issues today at 3 pm but the time of the hearing has been advanced and the hearing is going on right now.

Last night, the high court had exhorted the central government to explore all available means to manage the oxygen crisis and avoid catastrophe.

Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli are hearing the petition. Senior advocate Rahul Mehra for the Delhi government told the court that “Delhi right now is starved of oxygen”.

“Shanti Mukund and Saroj Hospital.. have no oxygen left. they are using oxygen cylinder. Another hospital is running out .. we are unable to contact Inox at all.. we are left for oxygen for half an hour. This is by Rathi Hospital (sic),” Mehra told the court.

During the hearing, Mehra suggested air lifting oxygen form Orissa. But the court said that air lifting oxygen was a very dangerous thing. It had to be either through rail or roads.

Meanwhile, Mehra informed the court that Delhi had 140 MT arrangement with Inox plant near Delhi to supply oxygen. This was reduced to 60 MT. After exchanging several letters, the same was increased to 100 MT.

On being asked by the court, senior advocate Rajiv Nayar for Inox said that they were stretched. He went on to inform that oxygen demand was being met “but Delhi is running short.. you have to look at other sources. We’re doing as per allocation.”

(This is a developing story and is being updated)