Invisible bars to block illegal entries at airport

Mumbai: It is yet another gadget to fortress the airport. And this time, it won't be visible to the layman's eye. Only in times of crisis and emergency would this underground gadget come up to prevent access inside the airport.
By April this year, Mumbai airport would install hydraulic bollards-thick iron rods-which would be placed underground to prevent a speedy vehicle from barging into the air-side of the airport. Hydraulic bollards, which would first be placed at gate number 1 of the airport from where many vehicles from the city-side enter directly to the air-side, where airport operations take place.
Gate 1 is located right next to departure terminal 1B of the domestic airport, and is the entry and exit point for flight-crew and other airport staff. It also facilitates access to the apron area.
The moment a vehicle tries to forcibly enter without permission or a check, the iron bars would rise at the push of a button, and block entry. "These steel bars would be placed under the surface and can be easily hauled up in an emergency. We should be ready with them by April,'' said a Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) spokesperson.
Currently, at every point of entry, movable horizontal barricades guard the movement of vehicles. Considering the sensitive security situation, the barricades were deemed unworthy of any support in case a vehicle rams through them to enter the air-side. "The access to aircraft parking, hangars, and runway, is very easy through that gate,'' said an airport official. "Though security guards are posted in the area, it is still vulnerable to forced entries,'' he added.
Hydraulic bollards are usually installed at places requiring high security, like the American consulate, for instance.
30/01/09 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jan 2009, Safety Jan 2009