Several X-ray baggage inspection systems have been installed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) entry gates to conduct random checks on passengers. The move followed a Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) order and is seen as an attempt to further boost the security of the countrys second busiest airport. Until now,passengers could walk into the airport with their bags,which were screened only at the time of check-in at the airline counter. Although the scanners at the CSIA gates had been talked about in security circles,it is the first in the country,barring insurgency-torn regions,to instal them. Airports in cities such as Jammu and Srinagar have scanners at gates for some years now. THE BCAS order for CSIA was issued last month. Passengers will be screened randomly based on our profiling, said CISF chief for CSIA,J S Negi. The lack of baggage screening at the gates of airports has been pointed out as a lacuna in airport security,especially after the Moscow airport bombing in January when a suicide bomber walked into the arrival hall with explosives. Following this,airport security officials increased random checks and stationed security personnel specifically for the purpose of profiling. The systems were installed citing the need to screen entries at the gates of CSIA. In addition,devices like explosive trace detectors and hand-held metal detectors will complement the security screening system. The systems have been installed at all entry gates. CSIA will be the first Indian airport to implement the process after the order by BCAS. Trained CISF personnel will conduct random checks at all entry and departure gates. There will be seven X-ray baggage inspection systems,four explosive trace detectors and 14 hand-held metal detectors across the domestic and international terminals, MIAL said in a statement.
