Journalism of Courage
A demonstration of the GT200,a remote substance and explosive detection system manufactured by a UK-based firm,was carried out on Friday at the Queen Mary Technical Institute in Khadki,in the presence of Army and police officers.
The Horizon Group,founded by retired Indian Army officers,which conducted the demonstration,is marketing the product in the country. According to Maj Gen (Retd) S G Pitre,chairman of the group,the GT200,which functions on paramagnetic principles,can detect almost all kinds of explosives and narcotics on land,water,air and underground.
The device,which weighs around 450 gm,is compact in size and comes with a foldable antenna,which is connected to a small pack on an operators belt,which houses the operating unit and sensor cards. Apart from explosives,the system can detect narcotics,humans,currency notes,tobacco and so on,depending on the sensor cards used,Pitre said.
Earlier,Brig (Retd) Amit Apte,vice chairman,Horizon Group,explained the various functions,advantages and working of the detection unit,which was followed by a live demonstration. As terrorists pose constant,challenging threats and increasing instances of low-intensity conflicts,such a remote substance detector will facilitate law enforcement agencies in the timely detection of improvised explosive devices, Apte said.
We have demonstrated the GT200 in several defence establishments across the country,including New Delhi,and the response has been positive. There is a plan to demonstrate it to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation for certification soon, said Pitre,adding that the unit currently has a certification from the Army Engineers,UK.
