Question : SECURITY STANDARDS AT AIRPORTS



(a) whether India has got `D` category for the security of Indian sky and airports;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the measures being taken to improve the image of the country with regard to the security standards?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION
(SHRI CHAMAN LAL GUPTA)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.



STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b) & (c) OF THE LOK SABHA ADMITTED STARRED QUESTION No.218 for 9.3.2000 REGARDING SECURITY STANDARDS AT AIRPORTS

(a) No, Sir.

(b) Does not arise.

(c) Security arrangements at airports in India are in accordance with the standards and recommended practices laid down in Annex-17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago) 1944 and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Security Manual.

The following measures have been taken to further strengthen aviation security:

i)Deployment of Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) personnel in place of State Police for security duties at all operational domestic airports in the first phase. The CISF has already taken over the security duties at Patna, Jaipur, Guwahati, Vadodara and Port Blair airports.

ii)Frisking of passengers and hand baggage at the time of entry into sterile area has been tightened. Ladder point secondary frisking has been introduced.

iii)Deployment of Sky Marshals on flights of Indian Airlines and Air India as an added precaution.

iv)Strict control on access to the airports is being ensured by comprehensive review of Photo Identity Cards to restrict the number of pass-holders and banning of entry of the visitors upto 31.3.2000.

v)Raising of the perimeter wall to the prescribed height at all the operational airports.

vi)Replacement of old X-Ray machines and installation of new colour X-Ray machines wherever necessary so as to ensure that atleast two X-Ray machines are available at every point.

vii)Modernisation and upgradation of security related technological set up of the airports is being done in a phased manner.