Airports on high alert can still be laid low

The domestic airport at Santa Cruz and the international one at Sahar may be on high alert after intelligence inputs warned of the possibility of terrorists striking from air, but they still have a chink in their security set-up for countering terror.
The in-line baggage screening system (IBSS) — considered to be the most reliable system for checking baggage — is conspicuous by its absence in the two airports. They are yet to implement the system despite having the infrastructure to support it. Surprisingly, the IBSS is operational at the Delhi airport, which procured the screening machines only after Mumbai did.
DNA is highlighting this deficiency as part of its Eyes and Ears campaign, aimed at making the city a safer place for its residents.
The airports have been on high alert since the day terror hit the streets of Mumbai on
November 26. Manual checks and frisking of passengers have intensified. There is also the usual screening of baggage by X-ray machines. But the security system would be more effective if the IBSS — a four-stage screening process — is put in place.
The system has four levels. In the first level, baggage is put on the conveyor belt after passengers check in. The conveyor belt carries the baggage to an X-ray screening machine; there is no manual checking of the baggage at this stage. Normally, 65% to 70% of the baggage is cleared. But the baggage rejected by the machine goes to the second level — an operator screens it again in 20 seconds. If the operator still has doubts about the baggage, he sends it to the third level where another operator gets three minutes to check the baggage. If the baggage fails to clear this stage also, then it is put through an explosive detector in the fourth stage and the passenger is asked to open it.
The airports in Mumbai do not have trained manpower to run the system, an officer said.
08/12/08 Navita Singh/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Airports Dec 2008, Safety Dec 2008