CISF wants to control IGI airport’s cargo terminal
AREA OF CONCERN The terminal is largely manned by private security agencies
NEWDELHI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has written to the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), expressing concern over the practice of handling cargo terminal security at the Delhi airport by private security personnel.
The CISF guards airports and vital installations across India. However, the cargo terminal, which is largely secured by private security men, remains an area of concern for the force.
It has repeatedly written to security agencies, i ncluding DIAL, asking for greater control over the area.
“Cargo terminals at Indira Gandhi International Airport are one of the major concerns from security point of view. We are of the opinion to bring it under our cover to give a comprehensive security cover to the airport,” said Rajesh Ranjan, CISF director general.
In recent times, the importance of security at cargo terminals has been highlighted by security agencies, which described such areas as vulnerable and prone to terror attacks. There are two cargo operators at the IGI airport, while the terminal is divided into import and export areas. The city side has six gates, all of which are manned by DIAL’S private security.
“Everyday, hundreds of vehicles enter the cargo terminals at the IGI airport but there is no provision of vehicle scanning. At present, the CISF has complete command over the air side (flying side) of the cargo terminals. The sterile hold area, where the cargo consignments are stored, has both CISF and private security men. However, scanning of the cargo is done entirely by the private security guards. A number of times, alerts from agencies have clearly underlined of the vulnerability of cargo terminals,” Ranjan said. He also informed that although CCTV cameras are installed in the cargo area, there is no integrated control room from where the entire area can be put under constant watch and quick reaction teams can be mobilized, when needed.
A DIAL spokesperson said, “CISF has a 24x7 presence in the cargo area to ensure its security. Joint security surveys are routinely carried out by teams from BCAS, CISF and DIAL. Armed presence of the CISF and its technical teams under specialised officers adds to the security. Besides, access controls, CCTV surveillance and QRT response are also available.”
Reacting to the CISF’S repeated proposals seeking overall security, DIAL said that it was not aware of such a demand and added that all decisions regarding security in the cargo area rest with the BCAS.
Recently, the ministry of home affairs constituted a special committee to suggest ways to strengthen security at airport cargo terminals.
Last month, the committee also conducted a security audit of the cargo terminal area at the IGI airport.
In January last year, the security at the terminal was enhanced following an alert from security agencies. The BCAS had also issued a circular in this regard, instructing that all the arriving consignments entering the cargo terminal must be properly frisked.