Bengaluru: The Indian Air Force deputed the big boys -- C-17 and IL-76 transport aircraft -- to airlift oxygen tankers to the filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of oxygen cylinders.

Two C-17 aircraft ferried two empty Linde cryogenic oxygen containers while the IL 76 airlifted one empty Inox container to Panagarh.

Besides, media reports said that 23 mobile oxygen generation plants are being airlifted from Germany, which will be deployed in static hospitals.

The Base Hospital at the Delhi Cantonment is being converted into a 1000-bed dedicated Covid hospital.

It is also pertinent to note that the Indian Railways is also doing its bit to help supply oxygen to several parts of the country. 

The Indian Railways has started what’s called Oxygen Express to help ferry it. 

To facilitate easy and smooth transport of oxygen across the country, a Green Corridor is being created. This will ensure fast movement of Oxygen Express trains and secure supply of medical oxygen in bulk and rapidly to patients.

DRDO builds hospitals: 

Even as the railways and IAF are doing their best, the DRDO has jumped in to build hospitals. 

The organisation is also doing its bit in supplying oxygen. Recently, it used a technology called ‘On board oxygen generation system' (OBOGS). 

More on OBOGS technology: 

It is an indigenously built technology (specifically for India-manufactured aircraft) used to supply oxygen to the aircrew by supplying oxygen using bleed air from the engine and separating oxygen from other components, using a process called Pressure Swing Adsorption Technology. 

With this technology the pilot can remain airborne for a long time. Till this time, the pilots had to get to the ground, maybe an hour or so after they were airborne to refill oxygen.