Mumbai: A decade after the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai, the security inside and outside the domestic and international airports in the city have changed drastically. Security has been stepped up by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), while elaborate checks are being conducted outside the premises by Mumbai Police personnel.
Airports in Mumbai fall under the category of ‘hyper sensitive’ area, which is manned by more than 4,000 CISF personnel and 430 Mumbai police personnel. A senior CISF official said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with over 970 flights flying in and out of the airports. Due to such a high frequency of flight operations, Mumbai airports are always put on high alert, with maximum security provided at all times.”
The CISF aviation security group was deployed at as many as 60 airports across the country, as an aftermath of the Indian Airlines IC-814 hijacking on December 24, 1999. The joint efforts made by the CISF, Mumbai police and several security agencies operating in the airport premises make sure nothing looks out of order or possess any threats, said an official. The CISF also has a Counter Terrorist Contingency Plan (CTCP) in place to act upon any terror act.
An official said on condition of anonymity there are a few security agencies in the airport premises who hide in plain sight. The job profile of these agency personnel is to profile the passengers and be ready in all corners of the premise to act upon any emergency.
Despite the security being beefed up at all points, there are a few security gaps at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport revealed an official. The cargo operations inside the airport have been flagged as a cause of concern, as it is accessed by more than 5,000 casual employees daily for their work, most of whom not having validated entry passes.
The presence of slums in the vicinity of the airport also acts as a potent security threat, said a CISF official. Major concentration of these 35 slum pockets is on the eastern side of the airport area, particularly along the airport’s operational area boundary wall. The security of city airports would be in a much better if these concerns are addressed in time, concluded the official.