Mobile scanners fasten the Indo-US Trade

Photo: Business Standard

The US President Barack Obama’s three-day India visit has set out a storm of trade opportunities for the two countries. Talks to increase the trade fivefold to a whooping $500 billion, in the next ten years, has gained momentum. The trade between the United States and India, at present, is less than $100 billion.

However, sticking to the tradition of well organized safety and security the Americans want a 100% examination of cargo in order to avoid the arms and radioactive material going undetected.

The process of installing mobile scanners actually started in 2004, but the Union Cabinet only sanctioned the Rs. 175 crore for acquiring technology in 2006. The process was staggering until the 26/11 terror attack, and the equipping process was still in progress. The work was later speeded up in 2009 after the brutal terror attack and U.S insisting 100% mandatory checks.

However, sticking to the tradition of well organized safety and security the Americans want a 100% examination of cargo in order to avoid the arms and radioactive material going undetected.

Abiding the word, India installed installed three gamma-ray mobile scanners- Gamma Ray scanning (GaRDS) system at Chennai port, Nava Sheva in Mumbai and Tuticorin.

Earlier, container traffic at ports, even in Kandla in Gujarat, Vizag, Tuticorin and Chennai went practically unchecked. Thanks to Barack Obama for teeing off the importance of security, four fixed scanners are under different phases of installation. The government will have to go for installation of more scanners at all its ports, including the dry ports where Customs authorities had in the past detected contraband.

The Times Of India quoted P Jaideep, additional commissioner, Customs, in Chennai as affirming,  “One fixed scanner is under construction at Chennai port and will soon be operational besides the mobile scanner.”

Jaideep also confirmed that this machined technology has resulted in the saving of time. This American technology for a container can scan containers over 5 minutes each, which would have required 5 hours manually.

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About Sanika Govekar

An avid reader with a love for English, an achiever; she has a burning desire to succeed. She wants to make a difference to the society and strongly believes that self-discipline and a monumental work ethic can beat natural ability. Aim to Major in Economics.