Recognizing the requirement to upgrade airport security in view of a heightened threat of terror attacks, the home ministry, and civil aviation is planning on deploying CISF, which how the security of 59 airports, at all of the country’s 98ariports,in a phased manner.
The meeting chaired by the Union minister Rajnath Singh and attended by civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju for reviewing the security at the airport. In this meeting, they focused on the advancement of technology and manpower and also discussed the need to prepare CISF role in airport security.
In spite of Rajanth Singh and Ashok Gajapathi Raju, MoS (home) Kiren Rijju and Hansraj Ahir, MoS (Civil aviation), Jayant Sinha, home and Civil aviation secretaries, CISG DG O P Singh and Chiefs of Director general of civil aviation and Bureau of civil aviation security were also present in the meeting.
CISF to take charge of all the airports’ security
According to sources of ministry, there was an agreement that CISF should be brought in to guard all remaining airports in the country, along with the Srinagar airport that is presently look after by CRPF, to ensure a standardized airport security drill. This comes in the wake of CISF pointing of a direct, bold attack at airports from the city area as well as the past terror attack at Brussels and Istanbul airports.
To raise more CISF battalions as well as technological advancements like perimeter intrusion detection system and cyber security system at every airport was underlined. Deployment of more quick reaction teams will be at every entrance and exit the airport, especially from the city side, said a senior home ministry officer to Times of India.
Home Ministry will review the security system of airports
On the other hand, the home ministry is going to review the current status of the security system of an airport to determine the ability of airport operator to pay, the feasibility of central funding of all security operation. If cleared, this may dispense with passenger security fee now built into airfare. Although the meeting has discussed the issue, no decision was taken pending to examine by the finance ministry.
Earlier airport security was reviewed by the home and civil ministries in August and they refuse to latter’s proposal to raise an Aviation security Force under the BSAS. In this meeting, the National security advisor A K Doval was also present and suggested to adopt latest technology and enhancement of airport security system.
