The Hindu : New Delhi News : Renovation at IGI terminal ordered

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Renovation at IGI terminal ordered

Staff Reporter

Inline baggage screening system to be introduced

Government asks CISF, DIAL to work together to deal with traffic problems
DIAL to put senior officials on night shifts to ensure smooth functioning of airport

NEW DELHI: The Union Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday asked Delhi International Airport (Private) Limited, which manages the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, to make certain changes, like introducing inline baggage screening system, at the international terminal for the convenience of passengers. At a meeting with DIAL, the Ministry asked the consortium to get the inline baggage screening system commissioned immediately.

“When a team of the Ministry officials visited the international terminal on Tuesday night, we noticed a lot of problems. We found that there was a lot of chaos as the passengers were getting their baggage screened. DIAL has told us that three belts for inline baggage screening system will be in place by April 8. The other five such belts will be commissioned after the renovation work is over,” said Civil Aviation Joint Secretary K.N. Srivastava at a press conference here. The Government has asked the Central Industrial Security Force and DIAL to work together to deal with the traffic at Terminal 2.

“There are four lanes entering Terminal 2, two for departure and two for arrival. The two lanes for departure would merge later as barriers had been erected there, resulting in holding up of traffic. DIAL and CISF have been asked to remove these barriers and maintain these two lanes till the end to avoid any traffic jams there,” he added.

DIAL officials have also informed the Ministry that they will engage the personnel of G-4 security group to control traffic and assist passengers in the forecourt of the international terminal.

Car parking

On the issue of car parking, Mr. Srivastava said: “On our visit, we saw that of the three entry and as many exit points, only two were being manned. DIAL today said all these points have now been made functional.” The entry gates to the departure wing of the international terminal have been increased from five, including one for VIPs, to six, which will go up further to seven by this month-end. There is also a need for more immigration staff. “Of the 24 counters for immigration clearance, we saw that only 18 were being manned, while four were not being used. We told DIAL that all 28 counters should be manned and augmentation of staff must be done,” said the Joint Secretary. DIAL has also assured the Government that senior officials will be put on night shifts to ensure smooth functioning of the airport.

On the likelihood of using the Haj terminal for operations round the year, Mr. Srivastava said: “DIAL will make a formal proposal regarding the same. Though the terminal is unutilised for nine to ten months in a year, DIAL has to discuss with the airlines if they are ready to shift there and check if the exiting infrastructure is up to the mark. The DIAL officials have told us that they can fully equip it in four months’ time.” We are making efforts but the real relief for passengers will come only when the entire renovation is done. We will be monitoring it on a daily basis,” he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi