By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), May 17 : Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), Nagaland, Y. Kikheto Sema, who is also the nodal officer in-charge for management of COVID-19 activities in Dimapur expressed his happiness to the Naga entrepreneur, B. Imti Aier, proprietor, Bendang Meren Aier Liquid Air Pvt Ltd (BMA) who has been supplying oxygen in this trying days of the pandemic.
Talking to this correspondent, Y. Kikheto Sema, said he is overwhelmed to learnt that this Naga entrepreneur had been contributing to not only to his state but also expanding his chain of supply to other northeastern states as well including Assam and Manipur.
While visiting the plant situated at Naga United Village, Dimapur, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner,Dimapur,Rajesh Soundararajan, and other officials on May 14, the APC has requested B. Imti who is tirelessly working 24X7 for the supply of the life saving oxygen, to expand his production for which he assured for any possible required.
After learning that the production of the required oxygen could not be met due to the frequent power outage, the APC said that a meeting was held in this regard at DC’s office, Dimapur, and in the meeting, he had requested the power department to look into the matter at an earliest possible time.
Also speaking to this correspondent, proprietor, Bendang Meren Aier Liquid Air Pvt Ltd (BMA), B. Imti Aier, said that while interacting with the visiting dignitary at his oxygen plant, he had put up some suggestions including uninterrupted power supply for the manufacture of the oxygen for which the later had assured to look into the matter and the same would be forwarded to the government for consideration.
While disclosing that at the moment the plant is manufacturing around 250-300 Jumbo sized oxygen cylinders per day which is sufficient for the state, surpluses are also send to Manipur and Mizoram.
It is the sole oxygen manufacturing plant in the state and only fourth of its kind in northeast India.
The proprietor and entrepreneur B.Imti Aier, named the enterprise in name of his father . The
inspiration for the venture is rooted in the death of a friend of his younger brother who tragically died having no access to an oxygen tank in a hospital in Imphal some years ago.
On August 5, 2014 “BMA Liquid Air” became a reality. The plant is located off the main road in Naga United Village, Dimapur. Currently the plant runs once a week and can produce as many as 5000 cylinders per month.
Aier says he wanted to cater to the need for medical services in the state, knowing little of the ordeal ahead for an entrepreneurial exercise.
Ironically, despite the absence of a major industry in the state, either private or government it took almost five years for him to obtain a license to set up the plant. Coupled with this was long waiting periods to import the heavy machineries and repeated requests to the power department to place a suitable power transformer for the plant.
BMA Liquid Air has its marketing and sales office at Ana-Ki Building Khermahal, Dimapur. Apart from selling oxygen and nitrogen cylinders for medical and industrial uses, the plant also provides refills for the same.
