GHMC set to procure life detection system

Hyderabad: If everything goes according to the plans of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), then it will be equipped with life detection system to enable rescue teams locate people trapped in debris in case of incidents like building collapse in future.

Several building collapse incidents have occurred under the GHMC limits in the last three years, each exposing the chinks in the armour of the civic body. It is a herculean task for the GHMC authorities to clear the debris and locate persons trapped under the rubble.

A US-based company, which manufactures the life detection system, has already come six months back and gave a demo to the officials. To speed up rescue operation, the GHMC planned to acquire life detection system and officials also said that they would acquire the systems to save the people trapped during building collapse.

The new system, equipped with a monitor, would help in identifying persons trapped under debris and take up rescue operations immediately. The detection equipment, when placed at the mishap site, emits ultrasonic and infrared waves.

Upon detecting heart beat and breath, the location of the victim will be highlighted on the monitor. This will help the disaster management personnel identify the location of the victims and rescue them immediately, GHMC official said. The life detection system is based on NASA technology and can be operated by a single person.

Speaking to The Hans India, Viswajit Kampati, Director, GHMC Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management, said that it has not yet been acquired as the company has just displayed the system." "We are trying our best to contact them and ask them to give us a demo and then we will decide whether to take one life detection system or two systems for GHMC," he added.