The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will set up 500 medical oxygen plants within the next three months from the allocation made by the PM Cares Fund, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday.

“The medical oxygen plant (MOP) technology developed by DRDO for on-board oxygen generation for light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas will now help in fighting the current crisis of oxygen for COVID-19 patients,” the minister said on Twitter.

India is grappling with the rising number of coronavirus cases and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

"The medical oxygen plant technology developed by DRDO for on-board oxygen generation for light combat aircraft Tejas will now help in fighting the current crisis of oxygen for COVID-19 patients," Rajnath said.

The DRDO, in a statement, explained that transfer of MOP technology has been done to Bengaluru-based Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Coimbatore-based Trident Pneumatics and these two companies will set up 380 plants.

Moreover, 120 plants of 500 litres per minute capacity will be set up by industries working with the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, it mentioned.

The MOP of the DRDO is designed to generate 1,000 litres oxygen per minute, it noted. “The system caters for 190 patients at a flow rate of 5 litres per minute and can charge 195 cylinders per day,” it added.

India saw a record single-day rise of 3,60,960 coronavirus cases, which pushed the total tally to 1,79,97,267, while the death toll crossed two lakh following 3,293 fresh fatalities, according to Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.

Singh said on Twitter on Wednesday: “The DRDO is going to set up 500 Medical Oxygen Plants within 3 months under PM CARES Fund.”