Indian Airports Left Vulnerable Due To Lack Of CCTV Cameras!

In an annual audit conducted by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), it was found that security at Indian airports is not as tight as it should be.

CISF has highlighted that there are “Dark Zones” at 34 airports in India. These zones have been created due to a lack of CCTV cameras at these airports.

‘Dark Zone’ is a term used by authorities to identify areas inside the airport which cannot be seen by the security through CCTV cameras. Dark zones arise due to modification work inside terminal areas or change in the airport layout

According to CISF’s audit report, there is a deficiency of 1,882 cameras at these 34 airports and many of them don’t have a ‘Digital Video Recording System’. This hampers the CISF’s investigation process.

Apart from CCTV cameras, the audit report also addresses other security issues such as shortage of baggage X-ray machines, bomb detectors and walkie-talkies at airports across the country.

According to a CISF officer, passengers are occasionally checked at entry gates based on profiling. For that, they need  X-ray machines, Hand-Held Metal Detectors (HHMDs), Door-Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) and Explosive Trace Detectors (ETDs). He also said that 26 airports need X-ray machines,  3 airports need HHMDs, 8 airports need DFMDs & 30 airports need ETDs.

Airports Authority Of India(AAI) has said that 402 additional x-ray machines have been procured. Apart from this AAI will hold meetings with stakeholders and members of the airport security committee on a regular basis to implement various security measures required.

CISF was created in 1969 and has been providing security to airports, government buildings, seaports and power plants amongst others. It manages security at 60 out of the 98 operational airports in India.