Security tightened at Patna airport

PATNA: Amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has beefed up security at the Jayaprakash Narayan International (JPNI) Airport here. The number of CISF personnel at the airport has been increased from 200 to 350. The security personnel have started checking vehicles at the entrance of the airport before allowing them to enter the terminal building.
Patna airport director Rajender Singh Lahauria told this newspaper on Wednesday that security personnel have been instructed to regulate entry at terminal building and conduct random check on airport premises. “All the vehicles entering the airport main gate and car parking areas are being checked thoroughly,” he said.

The airport director has also asked the CISF personnel to keep an eye on suspicious passengers.

Lahauria had earlier convened a meeting with executives of airlines and issued several guidelines for screening of passengers at the terminal building. “I have asked the airlines to properly screen passengers before allowing them to board flights. Passengers’ luggage should also be properly checked,” he said, adding a quick response team would monitor live footage of the closed-circuit television cameras installed on the airport premises.

Meanwhile, the airlines have started urging passengers to reach airport before scheduled time for multiple layers of security. Bomb squad teams have been put on high alert and fire tenders stationed at the airport.

A SpiceJet executive said Lahauria would hold a meeting to review security arrangements at the airport on Thursday.

Rajesh Sarkar, who boarded a Delhi-bound flight at Patna airport on Wednesday, said it took almost 20-25 minutes for him to get the boarding pass due to increased security.

One Rashmi, who boarded the flight to Chennai, said all her electronic gadgets were checked manually. “The authorities concerned should be lauded for intensifying security at the airport in view of the current situation,” she said.