Kolkata: The Disaster Management Group (DMG) of Kolkata Police is set for a major overhaul. This time the focus is on its water wing that carries out rescues and recoveries in the Hooghly but often faces multiple challenges, most important being communicating with one another underwater and coordinating the operations. Three years after the initial plans and two years since floating the tender — the total tender is estimated to be more than Rs 4 crore. DMG will finally own advanced underwater communication systems that are currently owned only by the specialised state and national disaster response forces like SDRF and NDRF.Among the items in the DMG list — Kolkata Police will procure as many as 33 pieces of equipment — at least 14 items are meant to serve its water wing. These will include an underwater communication system complete with a face mask. “We have multiple instances since 2023 when we could not trace bodies in the Hooghly in the first 48 hours of our divers going in for rescue operations. We want to use technology to reverse this trend,” said an officer.“The two communication units that we wish to buy, will allow supervisors above the level of water, to communicate with at least two divers. The divers will also be able to have hands-free communication, without having to push any buttons. This unit will also have an alert tone notifying the supervisor,” the tender states.Among other items to be procured are the remote-controlled lifebuoy that can pull 150 kg with a cruise speed of 8 km/hr and a maximum speed of 20 km/hr. The DMG will also procure a hydraulic forcible entry tool, cordless angle grinder, pressure test kit, advanced braking system and advanced fibreglass pedal boats. Kolkata Police have also decided to procure underwater cameras and drones that can help them track missing bodies in the Hooghly and other water bodies. The cops said that the drone or camera will be useful in tracing bodies where divers find it difficult to access. In addition, it can be used even after dusk or when there is inclement weather. During an incident three years ago, when the police were searching for the dead body of a Tiljala youth who was murdered by his friends, they realized the need for such a drone. “When the Tiljala incident took place, we even had a witness who saw the body. Yet, it took us several days to spot the body,” recalled a detective department officer. Kolkata Police will also be bolstering its tree-cutting and firefighting units with the procurement of heavy-duty extendable ladders, portable smoke exhauster-cum-ventilator, wood-cutting chainsaw, and cordless cut-off machines.
