Delhi CM Kejriwal urges PM Modi to facilitate airlifting of oxygen from West Bengal, Odisha

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the national capital is facing an 'acute shortage' of oxygen for COVID-19 patients. The Chief Minister said that some states like Haryana are blocking the supply of oxygen.

In an interaction that was live on TV, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal highlighted the crippling oxygen crisis in hospitals in the capital. Speaking during the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi CM asked, "Will the people of Delhi not get oxygen if there is no oxygen-producing plant here?"

"There's a huge shortage of oxygen in Delhi. Please suggest whom should I speak to in Central government when an oxygen tanker destined for Delhi is stopped in another state?" Kejriwal asked during the meeting. Furthermore, the Delhi Chief Minister urged Modi to facilitate the airlifting of oxygen from West Bengal and Odisha to resolve the shortage in Delhi Hospitals. 

On Friday Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the chief ministers of the 10 states worst hit by the deadly second wave of COVID-19. India touched a new record of 3.32 lakh COVID-19 cases and 2,263 deaths in the last 24 hours.

"PM Sir, please, do make a phone call to the Chief Minister of the state where maximum trucks (tankers carrying oxygen) are being stopped so oxygen can reach Delhi."  The Chief Minister called for a national policy to tackle the crisis.

Meanwhile, government sources said the interaction was not meant to be televised and accused Arvind Kejriwal of 'descending to a new low'.