New airport gets cell to face emergencies

New airport gets cell to face emergencies
By Hemanth C S, DH News Service, Bangalore:
Promoters of the airport, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), are leaving no stone unturned by setting up an effective disaster management system to counter possible terror attacks and disasters.


At a time when airports are perceived to be high on the terror radar and prone to disasters, airports around the world have put in place a mechanism to counter possible terror attacks and disasters.

With such disasters looming large over several airports across India, the airport in Bangalore is no exception. In this context Deccan Herald takes a look at the disaster management facilities at Bangalore International Airport in Devanahalli, which is starting commercial flight operations from March 31.

Promoters of the airport, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), are leaving no stone unturned by setting up an effective disaster management system to counter such eventualities. BIAL, which has selected Columbia Asia as the partner in providing medical care at the airport apart from establishing a round-the-clock medical care unit at the airport, will also provide total medical assistance in case of any disaster. “The medical care facility will have the latest in medical equipment, technology and expertise to handle routine outdoor medical care and stabilise emergencies. In addition, Columbia Asia, with its partners, will provide total medical assistance in coordinating any mass casualty event or a disaster,” BIAL officials said.

On the evacuation front, one ambulance will be stationed on the land-side and three ambulances on the air-side and one stand-by in case of any emergency. Though there will not be any heli-ambulance services provided by promoters, BIAL officials say based on requirement, it will accommodate heli-ambulances at the airport subject to service operator obtaining all statutory clearances.

Officials further said the service providers on the medical care and disaster management front have been chosen after a comprehensive tender process and after checking their past track record of providing effective medical care facilities and handling disaster response services.