No need for baggage identification at Jammu, Srinagar and Leh airport

NEWDELHI: Passengers travelling out of Jammu, Srinagar and Leh airport will no longer have to follow the practice of identifying their baggage after check-in.

The civil aviation ministry has ended the practice of baggage identification from May 24 after senior ministry officials visited the airport and found this age- old practice of no use. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued a circular regarding this. “BCAS conducts audit of airports in J&K every third month and depending on the threat perception, modify the existing security structure. Passengers have been making complaints and finally, we have decided to end this practice,” said BCAS official.

Jammu, Leh and Srinagar airport handled over 55 lakh passengers in a year and those travelling out are asked to check in whatever item they carry and identify baggage at the identification area, failing to which baggage is treated as a threat.

Jammu airport director BK Gautam confirmed to HT that the practice has been ended. “The decision to allow hand baggage is still in consultation stage and we need to evaluate the threat level first,” BCAS officer added.