Additional security layer around airports mooted

By T.S. Shankar

CHENNAI, SEPT. 25. Following the recent terrorist attacks in the U.S., the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has mooted a series of new security measures, including creation of an additional security layer outside the terminals at Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata airports.

From now onwards, the check-in and hand baggage of domestic and international travellers will have to pass through X-ray scanning machines. Frisking by hand-held metal detectors at the Anna International and Kamaraj Domestic Terminals will be done at the frisking booths near the terminal entrance. This would mean, passengers may have to turn up at least two hours before departure time. Highly-placed BCAS sources told The Hindu here today that the Centre had agreed to implement these measures through the International Airports Division of the Airports Authority of India (IAD-AAI) that controls the terminal building.

The new ``security layer'' would be in addition to the existing and beefed-up security measures such as ladder-point and other checks prior to embarkation.

After the recent attack on Colombo airport, the Indo- Tibetan Border Police Force commandos have been deployed at the Chennai airport. Chennai has been identified as a ``sensitive airport'' after the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Kandahar in 1999. Personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force are to replace the State police to man vital installations and access points. In the south, Visakhapatnam, Bangalore, Mangalore, Kochi and Hyderabad airports have been already brought under the CISF cover.

Air India has already replaced the steel and glass cutlery items with plastic ware on-board its flights. It has also introduced stringent security measures both for the flying crew and the international passengers, especially for those bound for the U.S.

Based on the new guidelines of the U.S Federal Aviation Authority, Air India has banned ``canned food, sealed plastic bags, foil packages, dairy products including milk pedas, rosagullas and gulab jamoon, fresh dried or poultry meat, narcotics, dangerous drugs and match boxes'' in the luggage.

Also, the flight commander has to give a signed ``general declaration'' attesting the bonafide of all the cabin and cockpit crew.

All airlines have been directed to advise their passengers to allow only one -hand luggage weighing not more than 5 kg. A set of CCTVs are likely to be installed to monitor passenger and visitor movements.

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