Patna : Bihar Police is set to acquire 116 water cannons and armoured Vajra vehicles under a procurement plan worth Rs 62.52 crore to strengthen crowd control and law-and-order management across the state.
The Bihar Home Department has granted administrative approval for the purchase and directed the immediate release of Rs 30 crore, according to a report published by Dainik Jagran on October 17.
The procurement includes 30 water cannons and 86 Vajra vehicles. The equipment is intended to support police operations during demonstrations, public gatherings and other situations requiring crowd management.
30 Water Cannons To Be Purchased For Rs 26.40 Crore
According to departmental information cited in the report, Bihar Police will purchase 30 water cannons at a reported cost of Rs 88 lakh per vehicle. The total expenditure for these vehicles is estimated at Rs 26.40 crore.
Water cannons are used to disperse crowds by spraying water over a distance. They can be deployed during demonstrations and other gatherings where police consider water-based crowd-control measures necessary.
86 Armoured Vajra Vehicles Planned
The procurement also includes 86 new Vajra vehicles, which are armoured vehicles designed to provide additional protection to police personnel during sensitive law-and-order operations.
The report lists the cost at Rs 42 lakh per vehicle, bringing the total for 86 vehicles to Rs 36.12 crore. The state Cabinet has also approved the purchase of these vehicles, according to the report.
Vajra vehicles are used to help police personnel approach sensitive locations during tense situations while providing protection against potential threats.
Bihar Home Department To Release Rs 30 Crore Initially
The Home Department has directed the immediate release of Rs 30 crore following administrative approval for the procurement.
The planned purchases are intended to strengthen the police force’s equipment for crowd management and operational response. The vehicles will be made available to the force through the procurement and deployment process.
Based on the reported unit costs, the total estimated expenditure is Rs 62.52 crore—Rs 26.40 crore for 30 water cannons and Rs 36.12 crore for 86 Vajra vehicles.
The procurement is part of the state’s efforts to equip police personnel with additional resources for maintaining law and order during public gatherings and other challenging situations.
