Aviation Security Force may replace CISF at airports

The civil aviation ministry is working on a proposal to form a new Aviation Security Force (ASF) to replace the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF),which currently guards airports across the country.

“The estimation of expenditure in creation of infrastructure for training the new force/recurring expenditure in creation of infrastructure for training the new force/recurring expenditure for maintenance of this force is being worked out. The average cost of the new ASF is likely to be much less than the cost on CISF,presently deployed at 59 airports in the country,” civil aviation minister Ajit Singh said in Parliament.

Central Industrial Security Force was chosen for managing airport security after Indian Airlines flight,IC-814,was hijacked by terrorists in 1999.

CISF manages security at 59 airports across the country,deploying nearly 21,000 personnel.