Question : Security at Airports

(a) the present status of safety and security at the airports of the country particularly at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar;

(b) whether the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has been conducting examinations/tests for the security officers of various agencies deployed at the airports to assess their knowledge;

(c) if so, the details of these examinations/tests conducted by BCAS during the last three years and current year along with their outcome, agency-wise; and

(d) the steps taken or being taken by the Government to meet the challenges of aviation security in the country?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a): The requirement of security is dynamic in nature. The security system at airports is reviewed from time to time and upgraded as per the requirement, by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in the country, in consultation with the other concerned agencies and stakeholders, including Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) and airport operators, depending upon threat perceptions. Further, Safety Management System(SMS) has been implemented on all licensed aerodromes. The SMS is a systematic approach to manage safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountability, policies and procedures. Security forces deployed at airports are providing security as per the mandate of the BCAS. As of now, 60 airports in the country are being provided security by the CISF, and at other airports agencies such as State Police, Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF), etc. have been deployed for providing security. At Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar, security is provided by CISF and as of now 441 CISF personnel have been deployed at this airport. Necessary security gadgets are also available at this airport.
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(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. Various examinations/ tests are conducted by BCAS for security officers of various agencies deployed at airports to access their knowledge. The relevant details are annexed.;
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(d): Upon reviewing risk and threat assessments carried out by central security agencies, the BCAS issues various Aviation Security circulars / orders for effective implementation of security controls at all Indian airports for the purpose of safeguarding civil aviation activities/operations against acts of unlawful interference. The regulatory authority also oversees training to the security personnel of airport security unit, aircraft operators and other regulated agencies on the terms and conditions specified.