Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120556061200.htm

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All steps taken to ensure air passenger safety: officials

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: With all major airports across the country continuing to be in a state of “high alert,” the government on Thursday said all measures have been taken to ensure the safety and security of travellers.

“There is a threat perception and we are taking all necessary steps to meet the primary concern of providing security to passengers and the airports,” Civil Aviation Secretary Madhavan Nambiar said.

Commissioner of Security (Civil Aviation) R.R.P.N. Sahi said the alert for all international and some other airports was issued following the Mumbai terror attacks. It was a step to enhance security arrangements.

Mr. Sahi said the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which he heads, had issued guidelines to all concerned agencies and airlines to beef up security.

Mr. Nambiar asked the electronic media “to ensure that no information is aired without proper verification. Let us not create panic.”

In an appeal to the passengers, he said the airlines have been asked to inform the travellers that they should come before the required time for check-in due to the heightened security measures, like ladder-point checking.

Asked whether the ‘threat’ perception was higher for the Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai airports, Mr. Nambiar said security had been beefed up at all international and some domestic airports. Airports were put on high alert in the wake of intelligence reports that terrorists may strike using the air route. Frisking of passengers and baggage has been intensified and additional paramilitary and police personnel deployed especially in Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai airports.