Govt yet to take a call on explosive detectors' buy

NEW DELHI: The Country has been rocked by bomb blasts yet again, however, the government still hasn’t taken a decision on the long-pending proposal to buy explosive detectors. The vital equipment is required for timely detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“The equipment is urgently required in view of the increased threat of usage of explosives and IEDs by the terrorists in J&K and the North East,” a government source said.

Initially, two companies; Canadian firm Scintrex Trace Corp and UK-based AI Cambridge (now known as GE Ion Track) were selected for the purchase of 226 explosive detectors.

The proposal was initiated in ‘04-05. The Defence Procurement Board (DPB), on July 23, ‘04, had asked the Defence Ministry to issue request for proposals (RFPs) to the two technically acceptable vendors, sources said.

The deal could not be closed due to GE Ion Track’s inability in supplying the same. The company informed the ministry that it was no longer involved in the production of ‘trial evaluated equipment.’

The ministry, therefore, decided to approach DPB again for its approval. The DPB suggested that Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) should examine the technical aspects of the equipment already procured by the Army in the light of present scenario.

Meanwhile, it also asked the ministry for issuing request for information (RFIs) to an ‘enlarged vendor base’ to avoid any delay in procuring explosive detectors.

After a study by DRDO, the ministry finally decided to procure latest equipment available in the market. Subsequently, bids were called for and tenders issued to 11 vendors.

According to sources, Directorate of Planning & Co-ordination in Defence Ministry is also in the process of identifying domestic companies with the capability to produce explosive detectors.