With the second wave of Covid-19 proving more fatal and health care battling to reach out to people in the state, FADA (Federation of Automobile Dealers Association) Maharashtra Chapter has announced its contribution of Rs 10 lakh towards the installation of GPS devices for 250 oxygen tankers.

This is in the back of the recent MoRTH notification which has asked for all vehicles ferrying oxygen in the country to have a tracking device to be fitted to ensure a smooth and transparent supply to medical hospitals and centres.

Amar Jatin Sheth, state chairperson, FADA Maharashtra met Dr Avinash Dhakane, Transport Commissioner, to understand how FADA members could contribute and on his recommendation, the auto retail body has decided to support the installation of GPS devices for 250 oxygen tankers. This will enable the transport department to monitor the vehicles on a single dashboard, which has been setup in Transport Commissioner’s office and is being monitored 24x7.

For this initiative, MOBA was roped in as it had the necessary technological know-how and expertise to deliver the same in time bound manner. FADA’s state chapter has raised the required contribution of Rs 1 lakh and placed the order. The oxygen tankers will start being enabled with the fitment from the week starting yesterday.

Vinkesh Gulati, president, FADA said: “ FADA got an opportunity to strengthen the hands of Maharashtra state administration during the second wave of this pandemic. We have tried to do our best as this is a small contribution towards enabling transport department to monitor oxygen tankers movement on a single dashboard. This will definitely help save lives of patients by providing them lifesaving oxygen on time. I thank both, Dr. Dhakane and Amar Sheth to make this possible.”

Amar Jatin Sheth said, “This was an opportunity to contribute for the state by efficiently managing the movement of the tankers through technology.”

Dr Dhakane, transport commissioner – Maharashtra appreciated the contribution of the association and said that these examples of working together with private enterprise for the good of the state, are encouraging and he opined that due to the GPS facility the tankers would be able to do a quicker turnaround and help save more lives. 

Image courtesy: PIB