Mumbai, April 19:The country’s first ‘Oxygen Express’ carrying seven large tankers with capacity of 110 tonnes of liquid Oxygen to the Maharashtea state from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh was flagged off by state transport minister Anil Parab on Monday.

According to the official press statement stated that ,the state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had demanded that oxygen should be transported faster by rail.

As soon as the railways responded, the state moved fast and sent the first train today.

The 110 tonnes Oxygen loaded train will return in next five days to Mumbai from Vishakapatnam.

Against the backdrop of oxygen shortage, as suggested by Mr Thackeray, the state administration had suggested to the Center that oxygen could be transported by rail after exploring various options.

Accordingly, the Railways has approved the operation of this express and it is planned to run another ‘Oxygen Express’ with the help of the Railways for continuous supply of oxygen in the near future.

So it will be possible to overcome the oxygen shortage, the statement added.(UNI)