In view of a direction from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has imposed a ban on locally-made, cheap quality power banks, a gadget used to recharge mobile phones.
Instead, passengers will be permitted to carry only the branded variety of the equipment in their hand baggage. Further, there is also a ban on power banks being sent via flight couriers and cargo.
The decision follows the seizure of an altered power bank from a passenger at Mangalore airport recently.
According to CIAL, locally-made power banks can be altered and turned into improvised explosive devices.
“Fliers are being cautioned since multiple incidents of seizure of power banks, concealed in secret pockets of check-in baggages, have been reported at the Kochi airport in the past couple of days,” the airport company said.
According to CIAL, those who violate the direction will be subjected to face further action.
Mobile charging units
Meanwhile, the railways, in its report to the State Human Rights Commission, has informed that it will set up mobile charging units in all bogies of day trains. The Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer also informed the commission that the works in this regard had started at its maintenance bays in the division.
