Ports to have ‘dirty bomb’ scanners
Mobile gama ray scanners systems would soon be installed at key ports.
By Pradeep Thakur, TNN |
NEW DELHI: In view of the mounting threat from terrorists and their sponsors laying hands on nuclear warheads and using them against India, the government has stepped up efforts to acquire equipment capable of detecting arms and radioactive substances in containers. These gama ray scanners would be installed at all major ports, including Mumbai, Chennai, Tuticorin and Kandla.
The process has already begun and the final bids would be opened on March 16 for at least seven container scanners. Three mobile gama ray container scanners systems and four fixed container scanners would soon be installed at key ports besides the one that has already been installed at Nava Sheva in Mumbai.
A lot of container traffic at Kandla in Gujarat, Chennai, Vizag and Tuticorin goes undetected. Some of these containers are believed to contain arms and radioactive material. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had booked a number of cases in recent years where despite a ban, unshreded scrap containing unexploded rocket shells and bombs from Iraq and Somalia had been smuggled into the country and recycled in rolling mills situated in Delhi���s neighbourhood.
The threat perception and the proposal to install high-end container scanners are not new. In fact, the process of acquiring the scanners began as early as 2004 and in October 2006, the government sanctioned Rs 175 crore for this purpose.
However, for four years the authorities in the finance ministry couldn���t arrive at a decision on the type of scanners to be procured. The matter took urgency after the 26/11 attack on Mumbai. A global tender was floated on January 12 this year for three mobile gama ray scanners while on January 22, the pre-bid meeting was held for four fixed scanners . The government had also received lot of flak from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance for returning unutilised funds year after year in a matter concerning the country���s security. The committee had observed that indecision on such issues ���should not keep the scarce resources blocked year after year��� .
According to unofficial estimates made by revenue intelligence officials , over 10,000 tonnes of iron scrap was being imported on a daily basis . Sources said till 2005, the customs officials had seized over 30 tonnes of shells from this scrap and handed it over for safe disposal.
The process has already begun and the final bids would be opened on March 16 for at least seven container scanners. Three mobile gama ray container scanners systems and four fixed container scanners would soon be installed at key ports besides the one that has already been installed at Nava Sheva in Mumbai.
A lot of container traffic at Kandla in Gujarat, Chennai, Vizag and Tuticorin goes undetected. Some of these containers are believed to contain arms and radioactive material. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had booked a number of cases in recent years where despite a ban, unshreded scrap containing unexploded rocket shells and bombs from Iraq and Somalia had been smuggled into the country and recycled in rolling mills situated in Delhi���s neighbourhood.
The threat perception and the proposal to install high-end container scanners are not new. In fact, the process of acquiring the scanners began as early as 2004 and in October 2006, the government sanctioned Rs 175 crore for this purpose.
However, for four years the authorities in the finance ministry couldn���t arrive at a decision on the type of scanners to be procured. The matter took urgency after the 26/11 attack on Mumbai. A global tender was floated on January 12 this year for three mobile gama ray scanners while on January 22, the pre-bid meeting was held for four fixed scanners . The government had also received lot of flak from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance for returning unutilised funds year after year in a matter concerning the country���s security. The committee had observed that indecision on such issues ���should not keep the scarce resources blocked year after year��� .
According to unofficial estimates made by revenue intelligence officials , over 10,000 tonnes of iron scrap was being imported on a daily basis . Sources said till 2005, the customs officials had seized over 30 tonnes of shells from this scrap and handed it over for safe disposal.
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