Maruti Suzuki to install two 500 litres per minute Oxygen Generator Plants in J&K

JAMMU: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd the largest Automobile Manufacturer of the country has agreed to install two Oxygen PSA Generator Plants of 500 litres per minute capacity each in Jammu and Kashmir under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Responding to the appeal of the Lt. Governor, J&K UT, Mr. Manoj Sinha to the corporates to come forward to help to set up Oxygen Generator Plants in the Union Territory, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has offered to install one plant each in Jammu and Srinagar Medical Colleges to strengthen the health infrastructure of the two premier health institutions of the UT.

Mr. Devender Singh Rana, former Legislator and Chairman Vehicleades Group of Companies conveyed the decision of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd to the Lt. Governor, J&K, Mr Manoj Sinha here this evening, who very graciously acknowledged the support of the Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and thanked the company on behalf of the people of the Union Territory of J&K for their support.

The Lt. Governor thanked MSIL and its top management Chairman Mr. R.C Bhargava and Managing Director Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, for having come forward to support the people of the J&K in this pandemic.

Mr. Rana had earlier requested Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) to kindly support healthcare efforts during the COVID pandemic in J&K as a goodwill gesture.

The Lt. Governor appealed to other corporates also1 to emulate MSIL and come forward to supplement the efforts of the Government to fight the pandemic.

The Lt. Governor directed Mr Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education to coordinate with MSIL the process of early installation of the two plants.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) realised the critical importance of rapidly installing Oxygen PSA plants, both to produce life-saving oxygen as well as reduce the immense logistical problems. It was found that these plants are being made by small scale units with very limited resources or ability to scale-up production. MSIL located two companies in the NCR area, Airox Nigen Equipments Pvt Ltd and SAM Gas Projects Pvt Ltd. They were flooded with orders but had a capacity to manufacture only 5-8 plants a month. MSIL decided to use its resources to help scale-up their production.

MSIL started talking to them from the 1st May and quickly reached an understanding with them. While technology, quality and performance, as well as all commercial matters, is the responsibility of the two companies, MSIL and its vendors used their capabilities to rapidly scale up production. MSIL’s involvement is on no profit basis.

Airox has its factory in Ahmedabad and SKH Metals, a vendor, is working with them. MSIL has been able to arrange new sources for Zeolite, an imported material and critical for a PSA plant which is being airfreighted. Compressors are another important bought-out component. Output by the end of May is expected to be 50-60 plants.

SAM Gas Projects Pvt Ltd is being assisted by MSIL’s vendor JBML. MSIL is helping with all critical inputs. This company is expected to produce 20-30 plants by the end of May.

MSIL and its vendors are precuring oxygen plants from these two companies and donate them for medical use.

A separate MSIL team is working to ensure that the plants when produced are installed and commissioned as fast as possible.

The top management of MSIL is involved in coordinating and monitoring this activity and hopes that it will make some difference in the national fight against COVID.

The two Oxygen PSA Generator Plants for J&K should reach the UT by the first week of June and are likely to cost Rs. 1.30 crores which will be covered under CSR by the Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL).