Transporters have ridiculed the statement of state transport minister Anil Parab who said that the government would engage MSRTC staff in case of a shortage of oxygen tanker drivers. They said one needs specialised training to drive the sensitive cargo of liquid medical oxygen.

Amid a sudden rise in the demand for the life-saving gas, the Indian Railways has started running oxygen trains to Kalamboli and Boisar to improve supply. Maharashtra is also planning to get liquid oxygen from other states.