Skill India commences Training of Oxygen Tanker Drivers to ensure streamlined LMO supply chain to save lives during pandemic

• 2800 drivers to be trained in handling of hazardous chemicals and liquid oxygen 
• 120 Master trainers to conduct physical training of HMV drivers
• Training Program implemented by Logistics Skill Council, in collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation, under the guidance of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Commerce (Logistics Division)
• Training spread across 350+ locations pan-India

Mumbai, June 25, 2021: COVID-19 has posed unprecedented demand for Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO). This has been aggravated by shortage of adequately skilled LMO drivers trained in handling and transportation of Liquid Medical Oxygen.  To combat these challenges, Logistics Skill Council, working collaboratively with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the guidance of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; and Ministry of Commerce, Logistics Division, has launched training of drivers for handling of hazardous chemicals and liquid oxygen. Involving multiple stakeholders such as LMO Manufacturers, LMO Transporters, Indian Chemical Council, the training program aims to create a pool of 2,800 drivers to transport oxygen tankers, which is the most important commodity for medical management of COVID-19 across hospitals.

The capacity building training program for drivers having prior experience of driving heavy motor vehicles (HMV) began today in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu at the LINDE – Praxair Taloja Liquid Medical Oxygen Plant, Mumbai and at the (TNASDC) Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Development Centre, Oragadam, Chennai. In Maharashtra, the launch program at LINDE Taloja Plant was attended by Satish Patil – Plant Head, LINDE Praxair; NK Pawar – Head Delivery Supply Officer, LINDE Praxair; Sobins Kuriakose – State Engagement Officer, NSDC; and Gopal Mani – Regional Representative, LSC. The program will include training on Defensive driving, Hazardous Material and LMO handling and transportation.  Volunteer Ex-Servicemen experienced as HMV drivers, are also being trained so that they can add their precious experience to scale up the initiative.

Talking about the initiative, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon’ble Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said, “The coronavirus pandemic is an economic and social crisis for which we all need to come together to build an operating model resilience. Under the guidance of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, MSDE is committed to provide training and support to other ministries to combat COVID-19. We are working with our skilling ecosystem to create a robust talent training and development strategy to augment the availability of trained workforce in critical sectors. MSDE is happy to collaborate with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to mobilize the availability of oxygen through trained drivers and contribute in the fight against Covid-19.”