Hi-tech cameras installed at Delhi airport checkpoint

With cases of vehicle being used for terror attacks increasing worldwide, the Delhi airport has installed cameras at checkpoints of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) that can capture details of vehicle 500 metre away. The cameras with facility to read number plates and recognise the driver will store data of every vehicle coming to the Delhi airport.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has reviewed the security of approach road and has made changes in the security structure at the road leading to the airport.

“Lone wolf attack is on rise and the cases where vehicle is used as a weapon has also increased. We asked the airport operator to change the cameras installed at the checkpoint of both the terminals. The cameras have been changed and give details of vehicle as soon as they come to airport road,” said a CISF officer.

Apart from the pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras at the checkpoint, about 150 cameras at each entry and exit point of the approach roads leading to the airport have also been installed.

There are four approach roads for the Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 and the security agencies want them to be covered with high-tech security cameras.

“At least 5km of the area around the airport are covered with such cameras. Since the camera is equipped with the technique of reading the number plates, it will help us in tracking the vehicle in case of any incident,” said a senior police official, requesting anonymity.

CISF has also changed the bollard system (a short, thick post used to prevent traffic from entering the area) at the checkpoint, and introduced a double layer system to activate it to prevent any accident.

In case of an attack, the CISF personnel will insert a key and the bollard will come up and an alarm will go off to alert the personnel at the terminal.

“Delhi airport’s outside area has changed a lot and commercial activities have also increased. We need to monitor not only areas near the airport but also the approach roads,” the official added.

NEW DELHI: