Solar fence to ensure zero intrusion at Delhi airport
TIGHT VIGIL The secondary check, an electrified fence, will run parallel to the perimeter intrusion detection system that is infamous for generating false alarms
NEW DELHI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has forwarded a proposal to set up a “second layer of protection” consisting of a solar-powered electrified fence along the periphery wall of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
CISF officials said the proposal for the new setup, which will be called “solar fencing”, has been sent to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
The secondary security check, an electrified fence, will run parallel to the Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS), which has been infamous for generating false alarms. PIDS has been facing frequent technical glitches and has been undergoing “repair” for over one year now. However, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has been insisting that PIDS is “working fine” and to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
A senior CISF officer from the airport said on condition of anonymity the “solar fencing” system will consist of electrified wires that will force intruders from reaching the runway. Once installed, the CISF also plans to remove 40 watchtowers overlooking the runway.
“The proposal has been sent recently and is pending with the BCAS. Once approved, the system will be put in place as soon as possible. It is required to further secure the airport’s perimeter. There have been incidents when outsiders have managed to scale the perimeter wall and Solar-powered wires will be laid parallel to perimeter intrusion detection system (PIDS) as a “secondary security” layer
It will prevent intruders from getting near runway, even if they manage to dodge PIDS, the first layer
If solar power fails, normal electricity will power the wires
Till last year, PIDS generated more than 100 fake alarms every day
Under repair for over one year Every time alarm is generated, a complete security drill is followed
Sometimes, it fails to generate alarm despite intrusion
System manually checked multiple times by CISF
reached airside (near the runways). With solar fencing in place, any intruder will be caught between the new system and the boundary wall. This will give CISF commandos time to respond and prevent intruders from coming close to the runways,” the officer said.
Hemendra Singh, assistant inspector general and CISF PRO, said the final course of action would be adopted after consultation from BCAS.
The existing PIDS is a fourlayered physical and covert detection system, mounted on APRIL 2017: Man sneaked into Palam Air Force station and reached the sensitive technical area
SEP 2016: Two days after Uri attack, man scaled perimeter wall of airport and roamed around runway area with a bag in hand
APRIL 2014: A 16-year-old boy jumped on the air side and wandered near the runway an eight-foot-high boundary wall, and was developed in 2012 in accordance with BCAS. It uses around 200 CCTV cameras, radars, more than 35 watchtowers and a patrolling track along the perimeter wall that goes up to more than 25 km around the airport to capture the slightest movement.
The system has, however, has been mired in controversy since its installation.
Up to last year, CISF had noted that the system generated “at least 100 false alarms a day.” Officers say the menace has been controlled up to a large extent, but stated that PIDS remains under repair.
“The menace of false alarms has been controlled to a greater extent. A few months back the airport operator had sought assistance from an Israel-based firm to sort technical issues in PIDS. The system is under repair for over a year now,” the CISF officer said.
Initially, CISF was set to take control of PIDS, but it has not happened as the DIAL has failed to make the system completely fool-proof. NEWDELHI: With just a week left for the expected arrival of monsoon, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and other departments on Friday reviewed measures to be taken to control breeding of mosquitoes.
Arrangements f or proper management of solid waste, provision of lids and repair of overhead tanks in government office complexes and residential colonies, mosquito breeding in tyres at DTC bus depots or workshops and desilting of drains were discussed.
The intersectoral meeting was called under the chairmanship of north corporation commissioner Madhup Vyas. Officials from the Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Transport Corporation and Public Works Department were present.
“Through a presentation, we drew the authorities’ attention towards unattended areas due to the negligence of authorities such as water accumulation at waste dumps, inside old tyres at workshops and abandoned cars at store rooms. These are not just places for water logging but also breeding ground for mosquitoes,” said a north corporation official. “We showed the officials last year’s photos of some unattended sites and requested for regular cleaning. In case of any confusion, we asked the officials to coordinate with the deputy health officers of the MCD’S health department,” said senior north corporation official.
The meeting was aimed to ensure better coordination between North DMC and other civic agencies for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases, the official said.