The Delhi Traffic Police have terminated the maintenance contract with a company after it failed to calibrate breathalysers that were giving inaccurate results.
Improperly calibrated or poorly maintained machines produce unreliable results, which can be challenged by drivers on whom the tests are conducted, said a traffic inspector. Breathalysers require regular calibration and maintenance to ensure delivery of results with a sufficient level of accuracy.
The termination letter was issued on Tuesday over allegations that many breathalysers were not in a working condition for a long time due to non-maintenance by the company. The letter was sent by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-Headquarters) to Vayam Technologies Limited, which was awarded the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for repair and maintenance of 100 breathalysers for seven years (2015-2021).
The firm has also been blacklisted for three years for failing to adhere to AMC norms.
The letter stated that an e-mail was sent to the company on November 27, 2017, to calibrate the breathalysers within a stipulated period. Despite several letters, e-mails and telephonic requests, the firm neither calibrated the breathalysers nor did it give a good response regarding the issue, read the letter
The letter said that due to non-calibration of these devices, the equipment cannot be used for traffic management or catching violators.
‘Major default’
“In absence of any calibration certificate, the test reports cannot be authenticated during scrutiny of law. The breach of agreement is a major default on the part of your firm, which is required to be reviewed,” mentioned in the letter.
A traffic inspector said that most breathalysers used by the Delhi Police are not calibrated. “Regular calibration helps in sensor accuracy. We should use disposable straw to blow into the machine but this norm is never followed,” said a policeman.
The Traffic Police, however, said it ensured regular maintenance of these devices. “We ensure regular calibration of breathalysers that are in use. We have also procured new breathalysers that do not require calibration,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Garima Bhatnagar.
Attempts to contact the company for a comment via e-mail and telephone remained unanswered.