Kol Pol to get four blast-inhibitor blankets to save people, properties
Times of India | 19 July 2024
Kolkata: Kolkata Police plans to procure four blast inhibitors or anti-blast blankets to protect people and properties from the effects of accidental or controlled explosions.
Though police here have been using blast inhibitors for a while, this is the first time since Covid that they are buying these technically superior blankets, which are increasingly being used by not only the armed forces but also by various bomb squads of paramilitary forces.
A tender was floated this week for the blankets, each of which is being bought for Rs 33 lakh. KP’s bomb squad will maintain and use the items. The tender document describes the inhibitor as an equipment designed to provide protection from thermal, pressure and fragmentation effects of an accidental or controlled blast or detonation of high- as well as low-order explosives by minimizing them to a safe range so that no human or property in close vicinity is harmed. “This should provide protection from blast effects in a situation/during transportation of explosive devices/suspected explosive devices,” the document states.
Among the conditions that KP has set is that the blast effect of 2 kg TNT or more should be suppressed successfully. “It should be re-usable unless it is used at/beyond its maximum inhibition capacity. It should be a never-expire design unless used at/beyond maximum inhibition capacity. Additionally, it should be of a no maintenance design,” the document said.
The KP’s bomb disposal squad currently has bomb detection and disposal devices of latest models, such as electronic stethoscope, non-linear junction detector (RFD-23), explosive vapour detector (FIDO-XT), bomb disposal suit (EOD-9), remote mobile investigator (RMI-9), real-time viewing system (FoxRay-IIe) and bomb transport trailer to combat explosions. “The BDS personnel maintain and update these devices. New equipment is procured as and when required. Bomb disposal squad personnel, who will use the inhibitors, are trained at premier institutes. Drills are also held,” said an officer.