More frisking booth for women at airport

After years of putting up with fewer frisking booths at the Chennai airport, women are finally going to get some relief. The domestic terminal will soon have two additional frisking booths for women. At present, there are only six booths for women in contrast to 14 for men, officials said.

This move comes after women passengers repeatedly raising the issue and even tkaing to social media such as Twitter.

Sriram V ‏@MadrasMobile tweeted recently: “Dear Airports Authority of India — what’ the logic behind 8 security queues for men and just one for women at #ChennaiAirport?”

Asha, another passenger, through the handle ‏@ashainks, posted: “Chennai airport security line — ONE for women, six for men!! Sexist much?!”

On different days, depending on air traffic, a certain number of booths are kept open for men and women. This would explain variances in the number of booths mentioned in the tweets.

Swetha S., a 30-year-old passenger from Chennai, said: “What is the idea behind having such a bizarre ratio? Of course, I am glad that they have increased it by two. But, even now there are more booths for men. Do they think we don’t matter? Times are changing, when are we going to do away with such disparities?”

Airport director G. Chandramouli said he would sort out the problem at the earliest. “In about two weeks, we will add two more booths and see how things progress. If needed, we will see what other action has to be taken to make it convenient,” he said.

Sources said that though there are six booths for women and 14 for men, not all are used during regular hours. Only when there is peak hour traffic, are all the counters are thrown open.