CHENNAI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will widen the security blanket to cover private airports in a phased manner.
Plans are afoot to induct an additional 20,000 security personnel across all airports in the country, said Director-General OP Singh.
“We will have a unified command for all 98 airports,” said Singh. “The focus will be on digital surveillance video analytics and perimeter screening,” he said during an interactive session on ‘Safety and Security of Airports’ organised by Air Passengers’ Association of India.
The in-line baggage handling and security system across airports, including Chennai, will be implemented in the next eight months. The system would improve the security screening of checked baggage, he added.
Meanwhile, the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) put forth their grievances before Singh to ensure right to travel with dignity. The alliance opposed the move to make Chennai a silent airport and said it will affect the visually impaired who will not be knowing about flight schedules.
V S Sundar of DRA said 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 in strategically located places at periodic intervals throughout the airport. These desks must be equipped to cater to people with diverse forms of impairment.
Seeking a more thorough implementation of the norms, Vaishnavi Jayakumar from DRA said the alliance wanted 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 the need for a revised guideline amending the existing rule on frisking passengers with disability. She also wanted the airports authority to procure equipment that would ensure accessible frisking.
20,000 new staff
The plans to integrate all the 98 airports security in the country would make for at least 20,000 security personnel jobs, said OP Singh, the Director-General of CISF