CISF pushes for full body scanners

The much-debated full body scanner might make a comeback at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), as CISF has recommended it for better security arrangements. A trial run of full body scanner was conducted at IGIA in May 2010 after which, many had raised objections as it generates an X-ray image of the body.

The much-debated full body scanner might make a comeback at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), as CISF has recommended it for better security arrangements. A trial run of full body scanner was conducted at IGIA in May 2010 after which, many had raised objections as it generates an X-ray image of the body.

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“The project is currently pending with the Ministry of Civil Aviation but we would like to have it at sensitive airports,” Arun Choudhary, special director general of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) said.

Out of the 58 airports which the CISF is currently guarding, 18 come under the ‘sensitive’ category.

“We are using a host of gadgets for airport security and many more will be deployed in the future,” CISF DG, Rajiv said. CISF officials said that nearly 26 different kinds of gadgets such as explosive baggage scanners and pocket searchers will be procured to enhance security at the existing airports.

“At airports, we are using dog squads to thwart any terrorist attack. The CISF has busted two gangs of bag-lifters in Delhi, besides a gang involved in the immigration scam. Total 1,250 touts were apprehended at different airports who were involved in causing harassment to the passengers or trying to fleece money,” Rajiv added.

In a new initiative, CISF has introduced a system of stickers on hand baggage containing name and mobile number of the passenger, so that passenger can be informed immediately about his left over item.