Airport security as per norms, asserts DIAL

‘Upcoming hospitality district poses no threat to security'

A highly-secure perimeter wall covers all the operational areas of Delhi airport,claims DIAL. Photo: V.V Krishnan.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport is in accordance with the requisite security norms and that the upcoming hospitality district posed no threat to security at the airport.

“ We have a highly-secure perimeter wall covering all the operational areas of the Airport… effectively guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force,” said DIAL in an official statement, adding that no unauthorised person can “gain access to runways or operational areas of the airport”.

The statement came following reports of security inadequacies in and around the IGI Airport, where construction was going on to build a hospitality district including hotels and shopping malls.

“The entire hospitality district area falls well outside the operational area of IGI Airport. Prior to commencing these developments and licensing the area to developers, all the approvals as per statutory requirements have been obtained from the relevant authorities,” said the DIAL statement.

The statement further said the hotels at the hospitality district were being constructed in accordance with the approved Master Plan. “The runway is not close to the hospitality district periphery…but is at a safe distance of more than 450 metres,” it said.

CCTV surveillance

In addition, all structures of the hospitality area would have full security, controlled access and CCTV surveillance.

Addressing concerns about security arrangements at a religious shrine that falls within Airport premises, DIAL clarified that pilgrims were provided “controlled access” to the Peer Baba shrine every Thursday after thorough checking and frisking by the CISF.

Regarding VIP parking lots at Terminal 1D and Terminal 3, DIAL said no unauthorised vehicles were allowed access to these CISF guarded parking spaces. The request for installation of CCTV cameras on the Airport approach roads had been forwarded to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for its approval, it added.

Referring to new security guidelines issued by BCAS and CISF to airport operators, DIAL said these would be implemented by their December 31 deadline.