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"Improve security at airports"

Special Correspondent

Saboteurs can target any perceived weak link, says Police Commissioner

MEET: P. Kaliyamurthy, Joint General Manager, (Air Traffic Control), handing over a memento to the Police Commissioner, Shankar Jiwal, in Tiruchi on Monday. — Photo: M. Moorthy.

TIRUCHI : The sharp increase in passenger traffic in the aviation sector has necessitated pro-active measures by those involved in the industry to improve safety and security standards, the City Police Commissioner, Shankar Jiwal, has said.

The boom in terms of passenger traffic growth rate has brought about additional responsibility on those involved sector as safety and security were of primary importance, he said inaugurating the Aviation Safety Week at the Tiruchi Airport on Monday.

Mr. Jiwal pointed out that the country was under obligation to meet an international safety regime in the aviation sector. Besides, major incidents in the sector could have far reaching international impact. Stating that there was no major security issues as far as the Tiruchi Airport was concerned, Mr.Jiwal, however, advocated caution and alertness as saboteurs could target any perceived weak link.

The Airport Director, S. Sreekumar, said even as the aviation sector was becoming more technology-driven, there had been a need for improving security and safety standards as well. Nearly 85 per cent of safety hazards were a result of human errors and any lapse on the part of the various agencies involved in the aviation sector could prove to be costly. Inculcating safety consciousness among the people involved in the operations was essential to ensure sustained growth.

He pointed out that the passenger growth rate in India in 2005 was 25 per cent against the six per cent recorded internationally. With more air operators and more routes the domestic passenger traffic growth rate was nearly 50 per cent during the year. The General Manager (Projects), Airports Authority of India, P.S.R.K.Sudhakar, said though air travel was one of the safest mode of transportation, there was a need for raising the bar on safety standards in the changed scenario.

The Deputy General Manager (Air Traffic Control), K.Shivakumar, said aviation safety was a unique subject and called for ensuring utmost efficiency in ground handling, air traffic control and other key agencies. P. Kaliyamurthy, Joint General Manager, P.Rangaswamy, Director, General Manager (Communication) and others spoke.

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