Air-tight security for Devanahalli airport

Air-tight security for Devanahalli airport
Vijay Times

Bangalore: With commercial flight operations scheduled to begin by April 2008, security at the Devanahalli International Airport has become a prime concern in the wake of Mumbai serial blasts.

Following the blasts, the proposed security arrangements at the country’s first-ever greenfield airport project are in the process of being overhauled.

Sources at the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who are in-charge of airport security, told Vijay Times though the question of security is at a planning stage, there will be more emphasis on a fool-proof system. “The Mumbai blasts have shown that a better security system may have averted the tragedy or limited the damage. Hence, we will focus on having the latest detection and screening systems,” said CISF officials.

CISF, which provides security to 54 airports across the country and key installations such as Indian Space Research Organisation, will install state-of-the-art security equipment in major airports across the country by this year-end.

Now, it is holding talks with airport promoters, the Bangalore International Airport Limited, to finalise equipment and screening systems. “As the private consortium has a major stake in the project (74 per cent), security arrangements and others aspects will be discussed by both government agencies and the consortium,” official added.

Other airports across the country have a uniform security arrangement formulated by the Airports Authority of India.

Officials further hinted that latest equipment such as the biometric security systems may also be installed.

“The airport will be a gateway for commercial activities in the City. With over 8.5 million passengers expected to use the airport by 2010, security is a major concern. Everything required to have fool-proof security arrangements will be installed,” said the officials.