Piyush Goyal, Minister, Commerce and Industry, recently interacted with the industry on preparedness for cyclone Taukate and stated that the pharma industry, especially oxygen producers, would be given priority to resume operations once the severe cyclonic storm diminishes.
Taukate is likely to reach the Gujarat coast today’s evening and cross between Porbandar and Mahuva (Bhavnagar district) Tuesday early morning, which will lead to winds with the speed of over 150 km/h, heavy rainfall and high tidal waves.
In the stir of Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of unceasing availability of oxygen, maintaining buffer stock of medicines and essential items was stressed out in the meeting.
Smooth functioning of communication facilities and other utilities also discussed in the meeting, sources said. Goyal stated that there could be a surge effect post-cyclone and asked the
industry to support health care personnel's. "He also stressed that all the people who are involved in the production of liquid medical oxygen, pharma industry, and all those who make cylinders or products in the supply chain of the pharma industry will be given priority to come back into operation," the statement added.
The minister also instructed the railway authorities to thoroughly monitor the situation and be ready to rush the essential items to the affected areas in the shortest time and offer help in all possible manner.
The minister said that a round-the-clock control room to monitor cyclone progress is already functioning. He also expressed that relief material should be properly channelized so that the common man gets the relief and the unscrupulous elements are not able to take advantage.
He advised all the big industries to take care their resident area to support small industries, suppliers and neighbourhood industry associations.
Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways also joined the meeting.
Furthermore, senior officials of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Railway ministry, NDMA and states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu also attended the meeting.
Mandaviya stated that coastal areas in the western India are having a lot of industries. He added that the state governments are equipped for undertaking the relief and rescue operations and have the experience in doing so. The minister, yet, emphasized on pre-planning and pre-positioning so as to reduce the damage to essential equipment, cargo or people.
