New Delhi: Security at the Indira Gandhi
International Airport has been revamped with the integration
of anti-sabotage detection and intrusion systems of both
international and domestic terminals along with the
anti-terror commando squad.
After the commissioning of the world class T3 terminal
on July 3 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the security of
the airport will be brought under a unified monitoring system
known as the Security Operations Control Centre (SOCC).
Entry, frisking, scanning, baggage checking,
anti-sabotage and quick reaction deployment will be brought
under a single umbrella.
The new control centre, aided by improved scanning and
surveillance software and hardware, will be monitored by the
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) which is the agency
protecting the sensitive airport and its periphery.
The ambitious and much-awaited Perimeter Intrusion
Detection System (PIDS) to secure 37 kms of the airport
periphery from illegal intruders will also be connected to the
SOCC, a senior airport security officer said.
With the security management of both the domestic and
international terminals coming under an umbrella, the facility
would enable a better coordination for security of passengers
and other airport staff, the officer said.
A special squad of the National Security Guard (NSG)
black cat commandos, stationed at a newly-built airbase next
to the airport, will also be associated to the new control
centre.
A host of new services like the Delhi Metro`s airport
link will connect to the airport and hence the multi-tasking
of security drills will grow manifold. The integrated security
terminal will help in achieving the daunting task, the officer
said.
The control centre will also monitor the almost 3,000
CCTV cameras and 352 screening machines spread across the
sprawling airport premises.
The new terminal would be able to handle as many as 34
million passengers per annum against the present 26 million,
as it would have eight levels with a built-up area of 5.5
million sq ft.
It would have a common check-in concourse with 168
counters and 24 mobile ones apart from the most modern `five
level in-line baggage system` for faster processing.
Around 5000 CISF personnel will be deputed at the IGI
airport in view of the new T3 terminal and the forthcoming
Commonwealth Games.
PTI
