Introduction of additional flights to Tiruchi hit

Tiruchi: Severe shortage of manpower in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) unit at the Tiruchi Airport has been effectively holding up introduction of additional/new flights to the city, especially during nights.
With a strength of just 57 at the Tiruchi Airport, the central agency has been stretched to its limits given the increase in the number of flights to and from the city since last year.
According to sources, a survey has already been conducted and it has been assessed that the airport would require another 61 men so that the force could deploy its men in three shifts to provide security cover for the terminal building including baggage screening and patrolling of the airport complex during flight operations.
Given the manpower shortage in the CISF, the airport officials are reluctant to clear introduction of additional flights to and from Tiruchi, especially to the night schedules sought by airlines.
Airport officials contend that the manpower shortage in CISF was a problem faced by the agency across the country. The CISF, they point out, has taken over the security of many new installations. The opening of new airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore has only added to the manpower constraint.
09/04/08 S. Ganesan/The Hindu

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Apr 2008