Security at airports across the country may soon be under the scanner and all the operational airports may get Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) cover if the Union Government acts on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
The 31-member committee headed by Kanwar Deep Singh, which examined the ‘Issues related to Airport Security’ across the country, submitted its report recently in Parliament. It noted with concern that eight hyper-sensitive airports and 19 sensitive airports have no CISF cover, which has now become the only specialised force for aviation security.
After its extensive interaction with officials of the Home Ministry, Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, CISF and Intelligence Bureau in July this year followed by study visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and other airports, the committee said gaps in aviation security needed to be closed in proportion to the threat perception.
While hijacking, hostage taking on board aircraft, aerodromes, sabotage of airport and aircraft and terrorist attacks are the common major threats, the possibilities have been widened in the wake of increasing sophistication in the modus operandi of the terrorists.
The report noted some of the threats as surgically implanted explosives, improvised explosive devices hidden in printer ink and toner cartridge and terrorists using trained pilots to hijack aircraft.
Of the 98 functional airports in the country, 26 are categorised as hyper-sensitive, including Hyderabad airport, 56 as sensitive airports, including Visakhapatnam airport in Andhra Pradesh and 16 normal airports.
“Civil aviation security is integral element of national security. But only 59 out of 98 airports have CISF security cover and the reason cited is constraint of funds,” the committee noted in the report.
Taking a serious view of the inadequate security cover, deficiency of security gadgets, the panel said any large-scale damage/terrorist attack on airport complex would be catastrophic with far-reaching implications for the citizens and the economy, investments flowing into the country, more so when India is among the most terrorism-affected countries.
Security fee
The committee recommended that the security component of the Passenger Security Fee (PSF) be enhanced to commensurate with the security expenditure and it should be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India. All the hyper-sensitive airports be given to the CISF at the earliest followed by sensitive airports. Installation of CCTV cameras and clearance of shadow zones at various airports be taken up on priority to strengthen the Indian airport security system.
Perimeter Intrusion Detection system, counter-terrorism contingency plan by the CISF at approach roads as in Delhi and Mumbai be provided at 20 more international and hyper-sensitive airports, it noted.
The committee noted that multiple agencies work to provide airport security under the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
Committee moots Central Industrial Security Force cover for all operational airports
