Pointing out that aviation has become a soft target for terrorists, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi on Monday said the government was restructuring the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to enhance the oversight capability and aviation security.
"Airport security is being reviewed in consultation with the Home Ministry and intelligence agencies and various proposals to improve the security are under active consideration. An Anti-hijacking Amendment Bill prescribing death penalty in place of life imprisonment has already been introduced in Parliament. Passenger facilitation is also being given equal importance in the process of beefing up security."
A committee had also been set up in the Ministry to decide on installation of full-body scanners at airports. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) would take a final view on these issues.
Mr. Ravi was speaking after inaugurating a two-day Regional Aviation Security Conference (RAVSECC), being held under the aegis of the U.N. body, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), here. Delegates from 16 countries and a number of international organisations are attending the conference.
The Minister told the delegates that airline industry in India had grown by about 400 per cent in the past seven years. “With a domestic passenger base of over 50 million, India ranks fourth after the U.S., China and Japan. It is the fastest growing and ninth largest aviation market in the world. It is estimated that the travel of international passengers to and from India would grow to the tune of 50 million by 2015.”
India had recently successfully undertaken audit of all major aviation security activities, including air cargo security.
Several issues
To questions from journalists on installation of body scanners on the pattern of the U.S., Mr. Ravi said: “The need is being felt to introduce this technology in India. Some experimentation is being carried out in Delhi. But there are several issues, including medical and privacy, which have to be dealt with. There are also questions relating to efficacy and efficiency of these equipment.”
He said the dichotomy of stringent security measures vis-à-vis the demand for efficient passenger facilitation needed to be managed properly. “While being fully sympathetic to the demands of the industry and passengers for better facilitation we need to place the security of aviation as our topmost priority.” The Minister said the only way forward for secure aviation was to think ahead and plan and be prepared for any and every eventuality.
