The Ministry said that as per extant rules and in consonance with the CMVR, 1989, trained drivers with adequate training and having ‘hazardous cargo’ license are allowed to operate the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) trucks, to create a pool of trained drivers to carry ferry of Oxygen and such 500 trained drivers are to be made available immediately and the number of drivers should be increased to 2,500 in the next two months.
New Delhi: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Saturday said that it has asked all state and UT administration to create a pool of trained drivers to increase the transportation of ferry of Oxygen, life-saving gas ‘Liquid Medical Oxygen in view of ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ministry also said that as per extant rules and in consonance with the CMVR, 1989, only trained drivers with adequate training and having ‘hazardous cargo’ license are allowed to operate the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) trucks, thus, to create a pool of trained drivers and 500 such trained drivers are to be made available immediately and the number of drivers to be increased to 2,500 in the next two months.
The MoRTH has also advised that the quick skill drivers with training in handling hazardous chemicals and LMO handling through a short program and apprenticeship while skill Heavy Motor Vehicle license holders in hazardous chemicals and LMO handling through short (3/4 days) program and apprenticeship which have been designed with the help of the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSSC), Indian Chemical Council (ICC), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
The Ministry also requested the States and UTs to recommend some local drivers with HMV / hazardous chemical licenses to opt for these training programs.
Also, a list of all the skilled drivers would be made available on a digital platform and the services of these trained drivers could be utilized for carrying cryogenic LMO tankers.
It has also been advised that LOX tanker drivers may be facilitated with a special Covid vaccination drive and priority in admission and treatment in hospitals, in case they are found Covid infected.
[HAMS LIVE]