Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120558100100.htm

New Delhi

Security stepped up at airports

Special Correspondent

– PHOTO: V. V. KRISHNAN

HIGH ALERT: The scene at Delhi airport on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: With all major airports across the country in a state of “high alert”, the Government on Thursday said all measures have been taken to ensure 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,” said Union Civil Aviation Secretary Madhavan Nambiar. 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 step 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 had been asked to inform the travellers that they should come before the required time for check-in due to the heightened security, 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.

The airports were put on high alert in the wake of intelligence reports that terrorists might strike using the air route even as the Indian Air Force said it was prepared to counter a 9/11-type aerial attack.

Frisking of passengers and baggage has been intensified and additional paramilitary and police personnel deployed, especially at Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai airports. The Central Industrial Security Force, entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the airports, has been put on high alert and is taking adequate precautions. Passengers have been requested to report at least three hours in advance for domestic flights and all vehicles approaching airports would be checked. Strict frisking and physical checking of all hand baggage would be done, officials said.