BIAL woes: Passengers raise security concerns

BIAL woes: Passengers raise security concerns
DH News Service ,Bangalore:
Much like its developmental phase, the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) seems to be facing one constraint or the other soon after opening.

Right from Day One, the swanky new airport has been on everyone’s radar especially the passengers who have been quite vocal about the facilities or the lack of it at the airport.
Adding to the problems related to ATC malfunctions, delays, chaos and bird hits, passengers had fresh complaints against the facilities at the airport. This time it was a serious allegation which could be catastrophic if not heeded to in time.
Passengers complained that the security at the airport was not up to international standards and that several loopholes existed in the security cover.
Passengers who alighted and took off from the BIA told Deccan Herald that the security arrangements especially at the baggage handling areas were unimpressive.
Norms not followed
“The norms followed at all International airports across the world is that as soon as they enter the airport, the passengers’ hand baggage are screened, but there is no such thing at the BIA. Soon after immigration clearance they go to the baggage claim area which does not comply to international procedures,” said an Emirates passenger.
Another passenger saw an open door near the Conveyer belt No 7 unattended. The passenger claimed that the door led to outside the airport terminal.
Meanwhile, BIAL has said that security is paramount and that there are 770 CISF personnel deployed at BIAL for airport security purposes and that this is bound to increase to 1039 including the land side security.
The security provided by the CISF is said to employ security procedures in sync with ICAO so that passenger satisfaction level is at par with international airports.

Flight delays

A few flight delays were reported at the airport, which according to sources were not due to ATC failure. The sources attributed it to air bridges as the staff were not trained and well equipped to handle passengers of this density.