Proposal for hi-tech security at Varanasi Airport hangs fire

Varanasi, July 17 (UNI) A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) proposal for installation of CCTVs at the sensitive Varanasi Airport here has been hanging fire for nearly three years.

A proposal was sent to the Airport Director for installation of six CCTVs in September 2003. The same proposal was followed in April by another proposal for installation of 26 CCTVs at the Airport, but to no avail, sources added.

Confirming that two proposals were sent to Airport Director, CISF Deputy Commandant Rohitash Kumar told UNI nothing concrete had taken place in the matter since then.

Mr Kumar, highlighting the need for drafting close circuit zoom and fixed focus cameras in Varanasi Airport security said such a facility will make security at the sensitive airport, both hi-tech and foolproof.

''No airport in Uttar Pradesh, be it Amausi (Lucknow) or Babatpur (Varanasi) has been provided with the much-needed CCTVs, which will help the CISF keep track of even the minutest development at the Airport, spanning from the tarmac to the entry points,'' Mr Kumar claimed.

The Varanasi Airport Director, S K Siddh, accepting that two CISF proposals for CCTVs were received said they have been sent for further processing to the higher authorities at Civil Aviation Headquarters, but stopped short saying anything, as to when CCTVs will actually be installed at the Airport.

''Such hi-tech security facilities are first provided at the highly sensitive Airports, which include airports in metro cities and those located near international borders. When all the highly-sensitive airports are yet to be equipped with the facility, the delay was obvious for proposals sent by sensitive airports like Varanasi,'' the Airport Director added.

Meanwhile, the CISF Deputy Commandant maintained, security had been stepped up at the Airport following the 7/11 Mumbai serial blasts.

''The main focus of CISF personnel deployed in security at the Airport is to eliminate any prospects of blasts, hi-jacking of planes or usage of planes by ultras as missiles -- akin to the WTC attacks -- '' Mr Kumar said.

While a 'Khoji Dasta' has been constituted to check round the clock all vulnerable spots like the Taxi stand and other parking lots outside the Airport, special surveillance squads have been formed to take care of security inside the terminal building.

Besides, the Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) of CISF functioning as commandos have been put on maximum alert to eliminiate any terrorist misadventure, Mr Kumar maintained.

The Crime and Intelligence Wing of CISF was also on its toes, while intelligence inputs from sister agencies like IB, besides the district police were also being taken care of on regular basis.

Round the clock frisking of those entering and leaving the airport was being undertaken with the guidelines laid down by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

Mr Kumar further said while high alert was in effect during day time at the Airport, CISF teams were protecting the airport during night time, when there were no flights from and to the Airport.

The Airport has daily four flights to various national destinations like Delhi and Khajuraho. Besides, direct flights to Kathmandu have made the Airport more sensitive.

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