India assessing Nepal airport security guidelines

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, MAY 5.The prospects for resumption of Indian Airlines flights to Nepal have brightened with the latest move by the Nepal Government to improve security procedures at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Indian experts are now assessing the new guidelines issued by the civil aviation authorities in Nepal. If found adequate, there could be an early decision in New Delhi to renew the operations.

Indian Airlines suspended all flights to Nepal after the hijacking of IC 814 to Kandahar in December last. Since then Indian Airlines has been seeking better security guidelines to ensure safety of passengers.

Within Nepal, however, the granting of additional security measures got embroiled in a bitter political wrangle.

After the hijacking episode, the decision by India to suspend flights and Nepal's tortuous debate on improving security conditions at the Tribhuvan airport began to strain bilateral relations.

Now the move to improve security at the Kathmandu airport comes on the eve of the visit to India by the Nepalese Foreign Minister, Dr. Chakra Prasad Bastola. Dr. Bastola's visit could now help the two countries put behind the recent tensions and prepare the ground for an early visit by the Nepalese Prime Minister, Mr. G.P. Koirala, to India.

The additional measures proposed by Nepal include the setting up of a ``sterile departure hold area'' and the issuance of computerised passes for staff.

The Nepalese authorities will also instal and operate a second X- Ray machine in the baggage hold area.

At the specific request of any particular airline, Nepalese authorities will consider further security measures to the extent that they are ``practical and consistent'' with international civil aviation norms.

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Section  : National
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