The Hindu : New Delhi News : Tighter security for Delhi airport now

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 27, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Tighter security for Delhi airport now

Staff Reporter

– PHOTO: V.V. KRISHNAN

WAKE-UP ALARM: Now all this and more at Delhi airport.

NEW DELHI: In view of recent accidents inside Delhi airport, including the one involving a woman employee of Air Deccan who was found dead under mysterious circumstances this past Monday night, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry on Friday reviewed safety and security measures on the airside of the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced at a press conference that movement of pedestrians and two-wheelers on the apron and in the taxiway area of the airport would be strictly prohibited from now on.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Joint Secretary (Civil Aviation) K. N. Srivastava and representatives of DGCA, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Central Industrial Security Force and Airports Authority of India.

“There was consensus at the meeting for stricter enforcement of all rules and regulations. It has also been decided that violators would be strictly punished and even lose their right to enter the airport,” said Mr. Srivastava.

The Ministry has passed strict instructions regarding security aspects of activities on the airside such as vehicular movement, storage or placement of ground handling equipment as well as movement of personnel -- security staff, labour and service providers -- within the area.

“Strict instructions have been issued to check the antecedents of the employees of contractors and sub-contractors of airlines and airport operators. Also the authorities have been asked to maintain strict surveillance over private contractors’ employees and staff providing various services to airlines and airport operators,” he added.

Mr. Srivastava said the number of vehicles of different airlines plying inside the airport would be cut down from 800 to 500 by combining the vehicles used for ferrying pilot, co-pilot and cabin crew.

“One DGCA official accompanied by a Delhi International Airport Limited team will do a random check on all drivers of these vehicles to ensure that they carry the airport driving permit at all times and that their vehicles are fitted with speed governors. Vehicles on the airside and apron will have a speed limit of 15 km per hour, while those plying along the perimeter wall will be allowed to run at 30 km per hour,” he added.

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