Tirupati airport put on high alert

Tirupati: With escalating tension at the Line of Control and likelihood of war between India and Pakistan, every security apparatus has been put on alert, more so at the airports in the country.
Tirupati airport, located at Renigunta, 15 km from here, has a strategic importance, owing to its close proximity to SHAR at Sriharikota (Nellore), NARL (National Atmospheric Research Laboratory) and above all Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala.
Every day, several VIPs visit the holy shrine and the quickest access is air service. On average 350 passengers arrive and depart from the airport and it will be 50 to 100 more during festival occasions.
Currently, only 4 flight services are being operated with cancellation of two services by Kingfisher Airlines recently.
Security at the airport, which falls under purview of CISF is tight and has been intensified after Mumbai terror episode. A strong contingent of CISF is stationed at the airport, which falls under Category II security.
It was after Alipiri bomb blast, that he category of security status has been increased from II to II.
Security aspects of the airports are generally looked after by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and in times of war, an office from IAF station in Arakonam is deputed at the station.
Tirpuati falls under purview of Air Defence Identification Zone of Arakonam.
27/12/08 ExpressBuzz

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Categories: Airports Dec 2008, Safety Dec 2008