Safety primer for airports

Safety primer for airports

The government has decided to prepare a security blueprint for all major airports in the country. As an immediate measure, security is being revamped at seven airports with “very high” threat perception — Srinagar, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Guwahati.

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Additional teams of CISF, which is primarily responsible for guarding the airports, are being deployed at the seven airports. Quick Reaction teams of the CISF have also been deployed. Bio matrix equipment to verify the identity of the airport staff and employees of other agencies working in the airports are also being installed.

“Even duplicate identity cards can be prepared to gain access to the airports. So bio matrix equipment is essential. More CCTVs are also being installed to ensure proper monitoring in the terminal and operational areas of the airport,''an official said.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Home Secretary VK Duggal on Wednesday held a high-level meeting to review security arrangements at airports in wake of Tuesday's serial bombings in Mumbai and Srinagar. Senior officials from the Bureau of Civil Aviation and Director General of Civil Aviation were also present in the meeting.

After the meeting, Duggal said a comprehensive programme for tighter security arrangement at all airports will be in place shortly. "We also advise people to cooperate and not crowd the airports unnecessarily," he added.