Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 11

In what will change an important part of their personal gear, the Army has approved an order for 12.75 lakh pairs of new-design high-ankle combat boots to be used by troops in all-weather conditions and in different terrain barring snow-bound areas.One of the parameters to select the boots was that troops should be able to wear them in temperatures varying from zero to 50 degrees Celsius. A cost negotiation committee finalised the boots, their cost, supply and logistics parameters before seeking final approval from the Ministry of Defence, said sources.The selection came after an extensive user trial by thousands of troops in 2016, followed by a feedback session. The Army assessed the feedback before four private companies were selected as eligible bidders. The annual requirement will be 6 lakh pairs of shoes, or 1,643 pairs daily, manufacturing which would be tough for any company. The Army has, thus, suggested distributing the order among three suppliers: Lowest bidder to get 40 pc of the order and 30 pc each for the other two.The Master General Ordnance has set a benchmark of providing better quality boots in tune with the latest concept of military boots available in the footwear industry in India and abroad. The Army had wanted the shoes be light in weight and the toe be made of scratch-resistant leather.12 lakh pairs needed

• Selected boots have special polyutherene sole with shock-absorbing capacity
• Possess slip-resistant properties, making these user-friendly in mountains
• All-weather feature ensures wearability in temp from zero to 50 degrees Celsius