(a) whether it is a fact that the incidents of theft of passengers'' baggage at airports, especially at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport of New Delhi are yet to cease;
(b) if so, the reasons for failure in curbing the incidents of theft of passengers'' baggage;
(c) the categories of employees who are found to be involved in these incidents of stealing;
(d) whether steps are being taken to prevent such incidents, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)
(a) to (c): The incidents of theft of passengers'' baggage at airports have been reported at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, New Delhi. The incidents of theft are a law and order issue, which is a State subject. As and when such incidents are brought to notice, complaints are lodged with local police, which takes further action, and Ministry of Civil Aviation does not maintain these data/information. In addition, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), a regulatory authority for civil aviation security in the country, has issued instructions to prevent such incidents.;
(d) & (e): To prevent incidents of theft at the airports, the following steps are taken:-;
(i) Frisking of ground handling staff is being done while leaving the airports.;
(ii) Deployment of airline security staff in the Baggage Makeup Area (BMA)/Baggage Breakup Area (BBA) around the cargo-hold area of the airline;
(iii) Photo Identity Cards (PICs) of ground handling staff after completion of shift, are being deposited at the airport.;
(iv) Sharing of list of suspects with all concerned agencies;
(v) Establishment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) help desks counters at the airports for receipt of complaint of thefts from the passengers and to further hand over the complaint to the local police.;
(vi) Deployment of expert and trained personnel at CCTV Control Room to keep close watch by CCTV.;
(vii) Use of cell phones in the air-side by ground handling staff has been prohibited. ;
(viii) Ensure movement of only authorised staff at BBA and BMA. ;
(ix) No employee is permitted to carry any personal belongings at BBA/BMA.;
(x) Surprise checks at BMA and BBA. ;
(xi) Airlines are advised from time to time to perform effective supervision of its security staff to frisk and check loaders engaged in loading and unloading of baggage from the BMA to aircraft and vice versa. ;;
(xii) Foot patrolling is being done by Aviation Security Group(ASG) / Airport Security Unit(APSU) staff at departure and arrival forecourt area as well as BMA and BBA.
(xiii) Close coordination is being maintained between CISF and Airline Security staff to track any suspicious movement.