Principal Scientific Adviser has launched ‘Project O2 for India’

Subject : Governance

Context : Amid the second wave of COVID-19, the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (Government of India) has launched ‘Project O2 for India’.

Concept :

Project O2 for India

Under this project, a National Consortium of Oxygen (NCO) is enabling the national level supply of critical raw materials such as zeolites, setting up of small oxygen plants, manufacturing compressors, final products, i.e. oxygen plants, concentrators, and ventilators.
The consortium has started to secure CSR/philanthropic grants from organisations like USAID, Edwards Life sciences Foundation, Climate Works Foundation, etc.
Hope Foundation, American Indian Foundation, Walmart, Hitachi, BNP Paribas, and eInfoChips are procuring oxygen concentrators and VPSA/PSA plants as part of their CSR efforts to aid the consortium’s work.
Under the Project O2, the NMDC Ltd has agreed to fund the procurement of raw materials like zeolite for the manufacturers in the consortium.
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser invited private sector companies, donor organizations, and individuals to support various projects of national importance.

Significance of Project O2 for India

It aims to enable stakeholders working to augment the country’s ability to meet this rise in demand for medical oxygen.
The NCO is not only looking forward to providing immediate to short-term relief but also working to strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem for long-term preparedness.
It caters to meeting the rising demand for medical oxygen by supporting government hospitals to procure oxygen and related high priority equipment from approved manufacturers and start-ups.