The government has banned manufacture, possession and import of electric detonators from April 2025 in view of security concerns and public safety, a notification said.
“The decision has been taken in consultation with the explosives industry,” the notification by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade said.
“In the public interest it has decided that the production of the said explosive shall be completely phased out by the end of financial year 2024-2025.”
The Government is of the opinion that the explosive, namely, electric detonator is of a dangerous character, the notification added.
Many incidents have been reported from time to time from various parts of the country on seizure or discovery of explosives and detonators by security agencies.
With the restrictions being announced the industry will have to move to electronic detonators which come with many safeguards. Electronic detonators are uniquely designed by each manufacturer, which requires that these devices be used according to manufacturers’ instructions.
Because these electronic detonator systems require password log-ins, operators must authorise persons to initiate the detonations, which minimises the potential for misuse.
Electronic detonator systems have a number of other advantages compared to non- electric and electric systems, including greater operator control to limit their use to authorised personnel, more precise timing, reduced vibrations, and a reduced sensitivity to stray electrical currents and radio frequencies.