Expecting a considerable increase in flight operations post-bifurcation, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is leaving no stone unturned in beefing up security at Gannavaram airport. It will plug all loopholes and take measures to ensure foolproof security to passengers.
Airport Director B.G. Patil, in coordination with the Assistant Commissioner of Security of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), had recently convened a meeting to discuss security measures.
The authorities felt that the height of the existing five-and-a-half feet perimeter wall of the airport had to be increased by four feet. Also, barbed fencing should be put in place to restrict entry of unauthorised persons to the airport premises.
The need for strengthening the perimeter wall has become a necessity as a portion of the existing wall collapsed during the last monsoon.
“We face this problem every rainy season. We have to take necessary steps to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents in future,” said a police officer associated with airport security.
According to him, door-frame and hand-held metal detectors have to be replaced with sophisticated security equipment for frisking passengers, and the existing baggage scanner needs to be upgraded.
Mr. Patil said proposals were made on increasing the height of the perimeter wall at a cost of over Rs. 4 crore in two phases.
“We will take all standard norms into consideration before reconstructing the wall,” he added. Also, plans have been drawn up for conducting security drills at regular intervals, an initiative that will help airport staff to act efficiently during emergencies.
The National Security Guard (NSG) commandoes had earlier given training to the staff on how to react during emergencies.
“We will continue to conduct similar training sessions for employees,” said a senior official. As of now, the State government has posted 57 policemen headed by a Circle Inspector to oversee security arrangements at the airport.
The official said as many as four major airlines, including Air India, were now conducting services from the airport to Hyderabad and Bangalore. An airline company is also planning to operate flights to all South Indian cities from the airport, the official added.
