Delhi airport gets new baggage roller, expect shorter queues, better security

The new baggage roller, an extension of X-ray machine on both sides, will automatically segregate the suspicious baggage from normal one and allow the security to clear more passengers by almost 40%.

Tired of waiting to put your baggage in the scanners during security checks at Delhi airport? From now, the wait will get shorter as Delhi airport has successfully tested a new baggage roller — Smart Security Lane with Automated Tray Return System (ATRS) at Terminal 3 — which began services from Wednesday.

The two-level baggage roller will automatically segregate the suspicious baggage and the roller will not stop thereby allowing the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to clear more passengers. (HT Photo)

The new baggage roller, an extension of X-ray machine on both sides, will automatically segregate the suspicious baggage from normal one and allow the security to clear more passengers by almost 40%.

Earlier, if something suspicious was noticed in the bag through baggage scanner, the machine was stopped to collect that bag manually, leading to increase in waiting time at the security queue.

The two-level baggage roller will automatically segregate the suspicious baggage and the roller will not stop thereby allowing the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to clear more passengers.

“This system will significantly reduce waiting time of the commuters at the point of baggage screening, and also lessen chaos and confusion at the security check area. This technology has been adopted by several airports globally,” I Prabhakara Rao, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said.

To start with, these machines are introduced at domestic and transfer area of T3.

The two-level baggage roller is connected with the X-ray machines to segregate suspicious baggage. (HT Photo)

“The new system will ensure faster security check clearance as compared to the conventional system. There will be less queuing time for passengers to get through security check as the system has higher passenger throughput. Four passengers can offload their belongings on the trays at a time. The trays are continuously made available to passengers using an automated tray return system,” a DIAL official said.

In case of a breakdown, the system can be used by manually transferring the bags as in the previous system.

“The new system is capable of delivering a throughput of 350 passengers per hour as compared to 180 earlier,” the DIAL official added.

As passenger traffic continues to grow faster than the expected rate, the Delhi airport operator has started expansion of Terminal 3 and planned expansion of T1 in a phased manner. The new equipment will also help in smooth flow of passengers. Hindustan Times had first reported about the new system on August 18.