Security at Juhu aerodrome to be tightened

“After continuous demands of providing us with a dedicated team of either Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) or MSGB (Maharashtra Security Guard Board) for security reasons, we are hopeful of getting this team from MSF which will ensure better security of the premises. Though the recruitment process and training will take time, we are happy to be provided with some help as far as security of one of the most important zones is concerned,” a senior security official said.
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Juhu aerodrome is claimed to be under constant threat from terror elements owing to negligible security. The airport has also been grappling with issues of slum encroachment, easy access points, fewer CCTV cameras besides dismal security.

“The security was quite weak earlier. It is only around November 2015 that walls were made to stop infiltrators from surrounding areas of Nehru Nagar and Indira Nagar areas from entering the airport. The walls were even wound with coils so that intruders will be left with minimal options to slip in,” M K Bimal, Juhu Airport director, claimed.
Officials claimed facing constant infiltration from Nehru Nagar slum dwellers who try to break the walls and enter the airport. The broken walls gave easy entry to locals and animals like goats and dogs.

“It is on a daily basis that complaints are lodged against infiltrators entering the airport premises without permission. Not only do they use the premises for dumping waste but also misuse it and attack our guards who try to stop them. We are planning to make the boundary wall thicker,” Bimal added.

With two operational runways, Juhu airport is used as a heliport for private charters, and to ferry Oil and Natural Gas Corporation personnel by carrier Pawan Hans to offshore oil rigs at Bombay High.