20 August,2009 08:28 AM IST | | Chetan R
This American beast can unobtrusively detect explosives of all kinds, and the police top brass hope to buy three for Bangalore
AN American company is trying to sell whoppingly expensive high-tech vans to the Bangalore police.
The vans, priced at Rs 11 crore each, can reportedly detect explosives of every known variety. A source told MiD DAY the government was considering buying three of them for Bangalore.
American Science and Engineering Inc showed off its Z Backscatter Van (ZBV) to the police top brass.
Plain Janes
The vans are fitted with equipment that can detect drugs, RDX, metal weapons, liquid and chemical explosives, and radioactive threats. The ZBVs look like ordinary vans, and can scan every vehicle passing by their side.
"The company made a presentation to top home officials," said a highly placed source in the chief minister's office. AS&E specialises in manufacturing x-ray systems to combat terror and drug and weapons smuggling.
"Iraq and Iran are already using the technology," said a source present at the presentation. "It's brilliant!"
X-ray sleuth
The company also talked about Z Portal, a static device that can be attached to the entrances of important roads such as the Vidhana Soudha. These machines scan every person and vehicle passing by.
Unlike metal detectors, which can't detect liquid and chemical explosives and drugs, Z Portal uncovers dangerous and elusive threats, even radioactive devices with the help of electronically generated x-rays.
The state may buy three such vans. They will be used at Vidhana Soudha and BIAL. The third will do its rounds across the city.
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It costs a bomb: The Rs 11 crore ZBV (top) can scan every vehicle or person it passes by for explosives, weapons, radioactive materials and even narcotics |
