Disaster: hi-tech wireless system delayed again

Four years after the deluge that exposed gaping holes in the citys disaster management techniques,the BMC still cannot switch over to Terrestrial Trunk Radio Access

Four years after the deluge that exposed gaping holes in the citys disaster management techniques,the BMC still cannot switch over to Terrestrial Trunk Radio Access (TETRA),an advanced communication system that will work during flooding and even in no-network conditions. The acquisition of the wireless communication system has been delayed by another year as corporators rejected the appointment of expert consultants on Monday.

The civic standing committee on Monday scrapped the proposal for appointment of a group including IIT-Bombay professor Abhay Karandikar and Ravi Sinha,and headed by Dr Deepak Phatak,to study and develop the system for TETRA communication. The consultants were to be appointed at a cost of Rs 41 lakh.

The civic administration had proposed 800 hand-held wireless units with command control vehicles and 20 base stations,each covering an area of 20 km. The BMC,the police,the fire brigade,hospitals and blood banks were to coordinate during floods and other natural disasters. Although it received responses from two bidders for providing equipment,both were rejected on technical grounds.

Committee members said that outside consultants cannot decide who should be given the contract at the cost of the BMC. Officers said scrapping the proposal would mean a delay of another two years in procuring the system. Till experts give an opinion on what technology and factors are to be considered,we cannot float tenders. TETRA will not be available for another monsoon, said a senior official.

The technology can also save response time as all agencies will be informed by satellite when a calamity takes place.

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