No specialised CISF security cover at 27 sensitive airports: Report | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

No specialised CISF security cover at 27 sensitive airports: Report

PTI | By, New Delhi
Mar 27, 2016 01:02 PM IST

There is no specialised CISF security cover at 27 sensitive airports due to a lack of funds.

With the terror attack on Brussels’ Zaventem airport bringing to the fore fresh concerns over airport security, a report says India has not accorded specialised CISF security cover to over two dozen of its such sensitive facilities for the last five years due to lack of funds.

There is no specialised CISF security cover at 27 sensitive airports due to a lack of funds.(Sanjeev Verma/HT FIile Photo)
There is no specialised CISF security cover at 27 sensitive airports due to a lack of funds.(Sanjeev Verma/HT FIile Photo)

A total of 27 such functional airports are being secured by other security forces like CRPF, India Reserve Battalions (IRBs) or state police units, keeping the designated aviation security force CISF out.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A report by a department related to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture had also expressed concern earlier this year. The report said it was “quite scary to know that the security of eight of our hyper-sensitive and 19 of our sensitive airports are not covered by the CISF that has now become the only specialised force for aviation security”.

The about 1.42 lakh-strong Central Industrial Security Force has a dedicated and trained unit called the Aviation Security Group (ASG) and has almost 22,000 men and women commandos headed by an additional director general-rank officer.

The force was first tasked with airport security in the year 2000, beginning with the Jaipur airport, in the aftermath of the hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 and its last ASG was inducted at the Diu airport in 2011.

A report prepared by the CISF and intelligence agencies borrowed from the observations of the Parliamentary committee to emphasis on stepping up security at airports.

“In the recent report... the committee has opined civil aviation security is an integral and important element of national security. Airports are critical infrastructure and very vital from the perspective of national security.

“Any large-scale damage or terrorist attack on the airport would be catastrophic with far reaching grave implications for the citizens and the economy. Explanations given to the committee for non-deployment of CISF at remaining airports was lack of funds,” the report said.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On