In yet another example of co-operatives coming forward to help the country, Karnataka based Chocolate Cooperative Campco has announced setting up of an oxygen generation plant at government hospital in Puttur Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district.
The plant will provide jumbo oxygen cylinders to the administrations. The total estimated cost of the project will be of Rs 1 crore, said Campco former President and Director S R Satishchandra talking to Indian Cooperative.
Satishchandra added, “We are in the process of setting up the oxygen plant and it will take not more than 6-8 weeks for it to be operational.”
“This oxygen plant will have a capacity to supply 12 metre cube of oxygen per hour. At present, we are in communication to buy the raw material for setting up the plant”, he added.
The oxygen plant’s estimated cost will be Rs 70 lakhs and 30 lakhs will be spent for buying the jumbo oxygen cylinders. These cylinders will be provided to the district administrations in Karnataka and Kerala.
A press communique issued by CAMPCO President Kishore Kumar Kodgi and Managing Director Krishna Kumar reads, CAMPCO, the apex co-operative body of the Areca, Cocoa growers, in Dakshina Kannada joins the fight against Covid by extending a helping hand”.
“CAMPCO has announced that it will set up an oxygen generation plant at the premises of Puttur Government Hospital. Along with this, CAMPCO has also proposed to supply oxygen cylinders to various hospitals in the state at an estimated cost of Rs one crore”, it further reads.
The stories of other co-operatives active in strengthening government efforts in fighting Covid have already grabbed media headlines. IFFCO is investing Rs 30 crore and is in the process of setting up four Oxygen plants to meet the shortage of medical oxygen. Kribhco has also similarly launched itself in the job.
Meanwhile, the stories of Gujarat dairy co-ops launching themselves to produce Oxygen have also come. Banas dairy engineers were able to generate Oxygen in less than 48 hours, surprising many. Time is of essence and co-ops are racing against the deadlines to rise to the occasion, said several co-operators.
Similarly, Amul is setting up oxygen plants in Anand, Kheda and Mahisagar. Besides, GCMMF’s MD R S Sodhi tweeted to announce that Amul’s Nitrogen cryogenic tankers are being converted into Oxygen cryogenic tankers.