(a) whether the Government proposes to replace the scanning machines installed at the airports with the new version of scanning machines;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether these scanners are indigenously manufactured;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) the manner in which the Government is planning to procure these scanners; and
(f) the time by which these are likely to be replaced?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) and (b) Yes, Sir. Airports Authority of India (AAI) has proposals to replace the machines which have outlived their useful lives.
(c) and (d) No, Sir. Such equipments are procured as per the technical specifications upgraded from time to time by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
(e) Such equipments shall be procured through competitive global tenders.
(f) While efforts would be made to replace the machines by mid 2007, actual replacement would depend on factors like reponse to the tender, cost etc.