India’s premier government R&D body DRDO has developed a radar that can scan through a wall. The Through Barrier Imaging Radar, named Divyachakshu (divine eye), was developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) based in Bengaluru. It is still under developmental trials.
The equipment uses thermal imaging to provide images beyond walls of 20-30 cm thickness made of any material.
The radar supposedly tracks heat to supply real time thermal images. This equipment can thus help track movement, determine the number of people and provide other important information about the situation beyond the barrier.
“The radar can produce images from the other side of the barrier up to a distance of 20 metres. It catches the thermal signatures and movements in a room can be clearly seen,” a scientist working on the project told IANS on condition of anonymity.
“In a hostage situation, the radar can help give an idea about the number of people inside the room and their movement,” the scientist added.
The project was initiated in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack (November 2008), when terrorists held hostages at multiple locations including The Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident and Nariman House.
Experts believe that the nature of movements in a room can help differentiate between terrorists and hostages.
The project which began in 2010 is expected to conclude towards the end of 2016.
“We are looking at the Army, the BSF and paramilitary forces as the buyers,” the scientist said.
The Indian Army at present does not have such an equipment.
Apart from being indigenously developed, the equipment is also cost-effective when compared with its competitors. The scientist said that the device would cost around Rs 35 lakhs and similar devices in the international market will cost about Rs 2 crores.
