New Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday said that no authority shall attach the oxygen-carrying vehicles passing through the district or areas for making supplies specific to any particular district(s) or areas.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday passed an order of transport and availability of medical oxygen cylinders in states amid reports of acute shortage against the backdrop of COVID-19 cases surging around the country.

In its order, the Centre stressed, " No restriction shall be imposed on the movement of Medical Oxygen between the State and transport authorities shall be instructed to accordingly allow free inter-state movement of oxygen-carrying vehicles." It also added that no authority shall attach the oxygen-carrying vehicles passing through the district or areas for making supplies specific to any particular district(s) or areas.

The deteriorating COVID-19 situation has seen a spike in the demand for medical oxygen and beds for patients and many states are reporting an acute shortage in essential medical supplies. Availability of oxygen is a key element in the treatment of certain medical conditions in the COVID infection.

Meanwhile, India on Wednesday registered 3,14,835 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the onset of the pandemic early last year, taking the overall infection tally to 1,59,30,965 on Thursday, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry.

On the positive note, a total of 1,78,841 infected people recovered in the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 1,34,54,880. The Health Ministry stated that a total of 16,51,711 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 27,27,05,103 samples have been tested in India.