In a significant move to enhance airport security, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has obtained approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB) to deploy full-body scanners at four major airports in India – Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, and Pune. These advanced scanners aim to streamline security checks, making them faster and more accurate at India’s highly sensitive airports.
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Faster Security Checks
The implementation of these full-body scanners is expected to significantly reduce the average frisking time for passengers from the current 30 seconds to a mere 15 seconds, boosting efficiency and minimizing inconvenience for travelers.
Government Tender and PIB Clearance
The Indian government had initially issued a tender in July for the procurement of 131 full-body scanners along with 600 new hand baggage scanners at a cost exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. However, this tender was later withdrawn because of clearance issues from the PIB, which oversees all investment plans exceeding Rs 500 crore.
Installation in Hypersensitive Airports
These scanners will be deployed at airports categorized as hypersensitive by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). This includes thirteen scanners at Kolkata airport, twelve at Chennai airport, eight at Goa airport, and five at Pune airport.
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Phased Implementation Approach
Rather than implementing the full installation plan for all 43 airports in one go, stakeholders in airport safety and security decided on a phased approach. The PIB has given the green light for the installation of full-body scanners in the four airports in India with the highest passenger traffic among those managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
The success of these scanners at the initial Indian airports will be evaluated before extending their deployment to other airports in the queue. This evaluation will encompass various aspects, including procurement, installation, training of security personnel, and operational effectiveness.
Advanced Millimeter-Wave Technology
These state-of-the-art full-body scanners make use of millimeter-wave technology, focusing on detecting concealed items/objects based on body contours. This advanced technology enhances security by identifying items that could potentially be hidden within the body. Soon, traveling on flights to Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, and Pune would mean reduced passenger frisking time.
The Airport Authority of India manages a network of 137 airports in India comprising 24 international airports, 10 customs airports, and 103 domestic Indian airports. This initiative underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety and security of air travel for millions of passengers.
