Touts beware, CCTV cameras at airport entrance are watching you

The city’s airport operator has increased security surveillance at the entrance of the two domestic terminals.

The city’s airport operator has increased security surveillance at the entrance of the two domestic terminals.

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Last week, 35 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras had been installed at the airport entrance mainly to control the tout menace. Until now CCTV coverage was limited inside the terminals and to cover the journey of checked-in baggage from the terminal to the aircraft because of the sudden rise in thefts.

“Besides controlling touts, the CCTV coverage with also help monitor passenger movement at the entrance,” said a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) spokesperson.

The tout menace outside the airport had been rampant during the festive season - in November 2010. During this period, local police stations in the area had recorded at least two complaints from passengers every day. Touts usually hound passengers new to city and charge exorbitant rates for taxis and hotels.

The two domestic terminals would have 100 more CCTV cameras later this year, the MIAL spokesperson added. Owing to repair work at the international terminals, installations there have been put on hold.

Security personnel said stepping up vigil at the airport was crucial, especially after the 2008 terror attacks. “There was an alert about fidayeen (suicide)-style attacks at the entrance of the domestic terminal,” said a Central Industrial Security Force official, requesting anonymity.

The airport operator is also installing the Perimeter Intrusion and Detection System, a three-layered surveillance system comprising infrared rays, CCTV cameras and radio frequency to secure the boundary wall. An alarm would go off if anyone tries to scale the wall.