The CISF, which will guard the high-speed airport Metro network, will finish induction of personnel and deployment of security gadgets on the sensitive link in about a fortnight’s time.
The force, which is presently guarding the existing Metro network in the national capital, will “replicate” the operational security model on the 23-km network.
“The deployment of men and material will be done within two to three weeks time. The security arrangement will be the same and will be replicated as that on the present Delhi Metro network,” Home Ministry sources said.
The personnel will be brought from various formations of the force across the country, they said.
After missing three deadlines, the Airport Express Line is expected to roll out by February 20.
The country’s first such corridor, which connects the city’s main shopping centre - Connaught Place - to Indira Gandhi International Airport, will have six stations - New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, IGI Airport, Dwarka Sec—21, Dhaula Kuan and Aerocity.
More than 250 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel will be inducted in phases and the unit will be headed by a Commandant rank officer of the central police force.
The go-ahead to CISF to man the high-speed corridor came on February 4 at a high-level meeting chaired by Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai. The meet was also attended by officials from CISF, Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
The CISF will also deploy vehicle-borne Quick Reaction Teams in and around the stations.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Delhi Metro’s Managing Director E Sreedharan while inspecting the link yesterday had said the line will begin operations once the CISF moves in.
“The Line is ready (for operations). It is very good, modern and the only corridor in the country that connects the city with airport. It has been built very beautifully,” Ms. Dikshit had told reporters.
“The formal opening of the Line will take a month’s time,” she had said.
