Kolkata: Kolkata Police is gearing up for major high-tech procurements, inviting tenders for heavy-duty drones and encrypted digital radio sets worth nearly Rs 3.9 crore to modernise city surveillance and emergency communications.The force has floated an e-tender valued at a little more than Rs 1 crore to procure two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) alongside specialized training for 12 to 15 police ‘pilots’.”Designed for long-duration disaster management and aerial monitoring, these multi-rotor drones can hover continuously for up to 10 hours with a short 45 minute ‘break’, carry critical payloads of up to 8 kg, and operate in tough weather conditions.For day-and-night tracking, the UAVs pack ultra-high-definition optical cameras capable of spotting targets 1.5 km away, alongside thermal imaging, night-vision sensors that detect targets up to 750 m in complete darkness. Ground teams will control the aircraft and send real-time video feed directly to the headquarters.Simultaneously, the city’s Wireless Branch is executing a Rs 2.8 crore upgrade to replace ageing walkie-talkies with 810 modern digital VHF handheld radio sets. Unlike older radios that have static distortion, these new devices transmit compressed, encrypted binary data packets using time division multiple access technology. This ensures crystal-clear audio during emergency responses and prevents unauthorized eavesdropping.The new handsets feature built-in GPS units accurate to within 10 m, allowing central control rooms to track patrolling officers in real time. Weighing under 475g with 10-hour battery cycles, the radios also feature high circuit protection, ensuring communication remains uninterrupted even if the antenna gets damaged.“Together, the dual procurements will help us move toward data-driven, real-time policing across Kolkata’s streets and skies. This is part of our modernisation plans as was indicated by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari when he asked us to shop for items that can take us on equal footing with the very best forces in the country,” claimed an additional CP.
