Threat to planes seen from five deserted areas near Delhi airport

The police in turn have written to the Delhi International Airport (DIAL) in this regard.

Airport sources said a survey was conducted by Delhi Police earlier this month to identify deserted locations. It revealed five such locations: one near the Centaur hotel, the area near the automated mail sorting centre, the ARC Hangar, the stretch near Mahipalpur leading to the airport and the stretch between the Centaur hotel and the road leading to Mahipalpur.  These areas have no security presence.

Sources said these areas become a hub of illegal activities by night. “There are no proper tracks for police to patrol the areas. These locations require installation of CCTV cameras and tracks where police can patrol either on a cycle or in a car. It is easy for anyone to assemble equipment and open fire at an aircraft,” a police officer said.

“Recently in Baghdad, the attack on the airport was also made from an area which was completely unmanned. We cannot afford to take such risks considering the recent terror alert,” said a senior police officer.

The officer said, in their letter, the police have stated how such areas can be easily used to assemble man-made portable air defence systems. “We have suggested that drones may be used, although there was an issue regarding the use of drones, which reportedly disrupt aircraft movement. But some technology has to be used in these areas. We have also suggested the areas be fenced to prevent people from entering the premises close to the runway.”

If BCAS maps the areas, they too can identify where police presence needs to be increased,” the officer said. In June this year, a 30-year-old taxi driver was shot dead near the IGIA outside the automated mail sorting centre near Terminal 3 by four men in a car.