BCAS committee to assess security threat

Reacting to the report on how the Aerocity project near Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) posed security threat, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has formed a committee to assess any possible threat.

Reacting to the report on how the Aerocity project near Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) posed security threat, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has formed a committee to assess any possible threat.

HT Image

The Delhi police had conducted a security audit and found that once const-ructed, the hotels at Aerocity would be security hazard due to its proximity to the runway.

They had written a letter to the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), asking them whether it has taken security clearance from BCAS before initialising the project.

The hospitality district falls within 150 metre area and according to Delhi police’s report it is a big security hazard.

“A representative each from Delhi police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and BCAS would assess the situation and have been asked to submit the report within a week,” said a BCAS, officer requesting anonymity.

Sources said Delhi police had conducted two security audits before conducting the recent one and has intimated DIAL.

Now, the fate of hotels supposed to come in the hospitality district hang in balance because of the security hurdle.

“The decision to construct the hotels metres away from runway was taken five years back, but now we feel after the completion it will raise security concern. We can verify the construction workers but checking every persons coming to hotel would be an additional responsibility,” said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.

DIAL had plan for the 45-acre hospitality district, which included hotels of all ranges — from budget to ultra luxury — with plot sizes ranging from 1.6 acres (for budget) to a 7.7 acre plot for a huge conference hotel.