CISF to widen Airport security blanket; plans to induct 20,000 more personnel across Indian airports

Chennai:

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will widen the security blanket to cover the private airports in a phased manner and plans are on to induct additional 20,000 security personnel across all the airports in India, according to CISF director general O P Singh.

“We will be having a unified command for all 98 airports across the country,” said Singh while stressing that security in airports will undergo change.

“The focus will be on digital surveillance video analytics and perimeter screening,” said Singh during a Interactive Session on Safety and Security of Airports organised by Air Passengers Association of India.

Meanwhile, the in-line baggage handling and security system across the airports, including Chennai will be implemented in the next eight months. The system would improve the security screening of checked baggage.

Meanwhile, the Disability Rights Alliance also put forth their grievances before Singh to ensure the Right to Travel with dignity for people with disabilities.

The alliance opposed the move to make Chennai a silet airport and said it will affect the visually impaired who won’t be knowing about the flight schedules.

V S Sundar of Disability Rights Alliance (DA), said that information about all airports in the country should be made available in a common portal or toll free number that would enable the visually impaired to activate it in his or her mobile.

DRA also sought help desks for passengers with disabilities at kerbside as well as at strategically located places in periodic intervals throughout the airport. These desks must be equipped to cater to people with diverse forms of impairment.

Vaishnavi from DRA said that the alliance want adaptation of the manual prescribed by National Trust along with the latest CAR M1 to be part of the aviation security exam and syllabus of CISF and just not a mere sensitisation.

Meenakshi of DRA stressed on the need for a revised guideline amending the existing rule on frisking passengers with disability. She also wanted airports authority to procure equipment that ensure accessible frisking. There was also a demand for setting up separate counter for screening people with disabilities at the airport.