KOLLAM: The state government has directed Chavara KMML to produce more oxygen in view of the present emergency situation. The current daily production of 7 tonnes of liquefied oxygen for the state government will be increased to 10 tonnes. An amount of Rs 3.5 crore was handed over to the company for setting up the facilities.

With the number of Covid patients and the demand for oxygen increasing, the government has been importing more oxygen from other states. The company has reported to the government that it can increase production by making some changes to the existing oxygen plant. Work has begun to increase the production capacity of the oxygen plant. It is expected to produce an additional three tonnes of liquefied oxygen per day by mid-June, KMML managing director J Chandrabose said.

KMML currently produces 70 tonnes of oxygen per day. Of this, 63 tonnes of gaseous oxygen is used for the company's operations. The remaining seven tonnes of liquefied oxygen is supplied to the state government.