Checks increased, flyers advised to reach airport early
For a week at least, people flying out of the city should reach Mumbai airport very early because it has been turned into a fortress. This means getting to the respective terminals from the gate may take you quite a while.
For a week at least, people flying out of the city should reach Mumbai airport very early because it has been turned into a fortress. This means getting to the respective terminals from the gate may take you quite a while.
Security personnel at Mumbai airport – the country’s second busiest – have increased checks owing to the Republic Day and the terror attack at the arrival terminal at Moscow on Monday.
Armed jawans stationed at watch-booths more than 100m outside the terminal are checking every car entering the airport premises. The paramilitary force has also increased deployment at the entrance gate to randomly frisk passengers.
“We are checking young passengers with heavy baggage,” said a CISF official requesting anonymity has he is not authorised to speak to the media.
Jitender Negi, senior commandant, CISF, confirmed that the security cover had been tightened but did not divulge details.
Airport officials said about 30% of the cabin baggage is scanned two to three times at various levels. Normally, hand baggage is checked only once in security holds.
The security alert is expected to last at least a week. Passenger traffic is also likely to peak from this week as some airlines are offering discounted fares.