Thane’s TETRA communication system outferfoms Mumbai comms system.

The Thane Municipal Corporation's (TMC) has scored over Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation when it comes to communication system to attend disasters. While there are reports that BMC fire brigade lacks high-tech communication system, the TMC had procured the state-of-art communication system nearly a year back. The advanced communication system known as the Radio Trunking System or Terrestrial Trunk Radio Access System (TETRA) was procured for the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) and the fire brigade personnel for communicating while attending any kind of emergencies or disaster related calls.

Arvind Mandke, the chief fire officer of TMC, told TOI, that the new system is helpful during the emergencies. These systems work properly even when someone using it is on a high rise or is at the basement of a structure. During emergencies, the high penetrative frequencies of the new system do not cause any hindrances in communication. The high-speed communication also reduces the response time while combating disaster." Earlier, the RDMC and fire brigade department used wireless on Simplex-VHF 148.25 MHz frequency, but it worked only within a three-kms radius and was a one way communication system. However, the new system works two-ways and work on 800 Mhz frequency, which is upgraded than the earlier version and shall have the clear calls up to 30 kms.

The official added, "The telephone networks get jammed during emergencies, introduction of TETRA will ensure better communication with disaster management groups combating emergencies and other major disasters."

Photo: City of Thane, India