Aimed at bringing the movement of passengers as well as their baggage through the airport under robotic surveillance, the Cochin International Airport Limited has launched a high-end security system capable of remote-handling explosive devices, fire fighting and hostage situations.
The system, established at a cost of Rs 12 crore, comprises safety robots developed by Canada-based Pedsco Ltd. and Threat Containment Vessel (TCV) and sophisticated luggage containment vehicle, both developed by Nabco, USA.
According to the airport company, TCV, the main equipment of the system is capable of containing a blast of minimum 8kg of TNT or equivalent quantity of explosive, triggered by suspected luggage including chemicals, radioactive materials and bombs.
The container is reusable as it withstands repeated detonations and size of the TCV can be adjusted with the size of the suspected baggage.
In addition to TCV, the system also comprises a Remote Mobile Investigator (RMI)-9WT, which is a multipurpose six-wheel vehicle with removable tracks for step climbing capability.
Using fixed arm extenders, the robot can be configured for different applications such as under car searches and second-storey window access.
Inaugurating the system, V.J. Kurian, managing director, CIAL said the robotic safety system is a part of CIAL’S commitment to the passengers to ensure flawless safety and security. “It represents the leading edge of airport safety. We always support the advancement of technology especially in safety issues,” he said.
The system will be operated using a group of 15 CISF commandos. In addition to these bomb inhibitor systems, the airport company has also inducted Real Time X-Ray Viewing System, Deep Search Metal Detector and Non-Linear Junction Detector to its security apparatus. The implementation of high- end safety system was done by an expert committee headed by P. Gourishankar, Security advisor to CIAL.
