No place to dispose off dangerous explosives

The 201 Bomb Disposal Company, under Indian Army’s Western Command, is carrying out disposal of unexploded munitions lying at Inland Container Depot (ICD), Tughlakabad. The explosives have been lying at the ICD since 2004, and, as informed by the officers, it is High Court which had to intervene to get rid of these dangerous explosives. Even after the HC's intervention, Delhi Government was not able to identify a suitable place for the safe disposal of munitions.

An officer of the Army informed TSI that, "the Army had to take initiative to identify a suitable place to dispose these munitions safely. We reccssed areas of Bhati Mines and Yamuna Bank but were not given clearance. Later on the Air Force helped us with the current location."

As the munitions are in very dangerous state so the exercise is really a very sensitive one. There are around 3500 munitions of which around 3000 have been safely disposed off by Army under the operation named “OP SAHYOG-II”. ‘Tilpat range’ in Faridabad Distt was identified as the demolition area in January 2011. The clearances for going ahead with the operation were given in May last by the Delhi and Haryana State Governments.

The operation involves handling and segregation of approximately 3500 munitions lying at ICD, Tuglakabad and transporting them to Tilpat Range in Faridabad District. ‘Op Sahyog–II’ commenced on 11 May 2011 and till date over 2500 munitions have been safely disposed. The operation is likely to be completed by end June.

The specially trained Army Bomb Squad is using Remotely Operated Vehicle and Bomb Suits to recover the munitions. The handling is tricky as the origin of munitions is not known and due to its old vintage the chances of accidental detonation is very high. The munitions are carried in sand filled trucks escorted by Police, Fire Services and Ambulance to the Tilpat range during night so as to ensure safety and to avoid inconvenience to the civil population. The personnel of Bomb Squad are carrying out controlled blast in specially prepared deep pits to ensure safety.

"There are 5 demolition pits and for secusirty; we have ensured that even the closest village is more than 1.5 kilometers away from the disposal area," the officer informed. Security is being ensured by Police and CRPF personnel deployed around the site. The blasting activity is carried out early in the morning and in evening to avoid the adverse effects of prevailing hot weather.