In-line baggage screening system at CSIA by August

“This in-line baggage screening machine will save passengers’ time as they will directly be able to collect their bags from the conveyer belts. Most of the passengers have a lot of luggage,this system will ensure that the baggage is cleared at the first round itself,” said a Customs official. Only those bags that are crossed by the Customs at the initial screening stage will have to go through a second line of screening.

Also,a significant chunk of passengers directly go through the green channel,which is a facility for passengers not having any dutiable goods to declare. “With this,we will be able to screen 100 per cent of the arriving baggage before they hit the conveyer belts,” said a Customs official.

All the other metros as well as airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore  have this in-line screening system in place.

The domestic terminal at Mumbai also has an in-line screening system to help the CISF screen potential security hazards in the luggage. Also,the international departures terminal has a in-line baggage screening system in place for departing flights.

The deadline for the installation of the in-line baggage screening system at the international airport was initially set for March,but was postponed due to technical glitches,the Customs said.

According to Customs officials,four screening systems will be installed on the conveyer belts at terminal 2 A and five will be at terminal 2 C. The X-ray machines that were used for check-in baggage will now be used to randomly screen hand bags from August.