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Journalism of Courage
The Delhi International Airport Limited DIAL, which is modernising the city airport, is in the process of procuring the country8217;s second Total Containment Vessel TCV, touted as the most foolproof bomb disposal machine.
The TCV is a spherical, vessel-like device, used for the first time by the National Security Guards to defuse a live bomb near Regal Cinema on September 13, when serial blasts rocked Delhi.
A TCV, CISF officials said, is now seen as a much-needed equipment to further secure the airport.
Sources said DIAL had ordered the TCV before the September 13 serial blasts and procurement is in final stages now. Delhi Police is also learnt to have ordered one such machine following the spate of blasts across the country in recent past.
The vehicle costs approximately Rs 3 crore.
The CISF is responsible for security inside the high-alert airport; Delhi Police mans security outside its premises. At present, a Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad BDDS is available with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, headquartered at Mahipalpur near IGI, to take care of bomb threats.
While a TCV was first used in India during the Delhi blast, it has been extensively used by the US forces in Iraq, a CISF official. 8220;The vessel has the capability to contain a blast without causing harm to surroundings.8221;
Sources said the vessel, ordered from the US, can withstand a blast of up to 8 kg high explosives. 8220;You cannot evacuate an area where you find an unexploded bomb,8221; the official said, pointing out the necessity for the device. 8220;It is also difficult for the bomb disposal squad to defuse a bomb at a crowded place like the airport. A TCV is the best solution in such emergency situations.8221;
He said a retrieved bomb can be loaded into the vessel through an opening 8212; approximately 2 feet in diameter 8212; and the TCV itself can be loaded on a motorised palette that allows it to be moved to the scene of action, rather than moving the explosive to the vessel.
Dial has also procured two ground bomb killer blankets for use in terminal buildings. 8220;This will take care of any explosive and minimise impact of an explosion,8221; an airport official said.
Why Total Containment Vessel?
Can withstand a blast of up to 8 kg explosives
Retrieved bomb can be loaded into it
TCV can be loaded on motorised palette and moved to spot, rather than moving explosive towards it
