The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), Mumbai: despite being heavily guarded, remains a sitting duck for attacks due to several loopholes.
The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the fact that in February last year, a report prepared by Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that Mumbai and Juhu airports are among those that are vulnerable to terror attacks due to lack of alertness in intelligence agencies, inadequate equipment for security forces and poor contract management of security projects.
The airport is guarded by 4,000 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. CSIA, which handles over 32.22 million passengers and 2,60,666 aircraft movement annually, is among the busiest airports in Asia, and therefore, constantly remains on the radar of terrorists. The airport officials expect the passenger movement to touch around 40 million by the end of this year.
However, several airport insiders dna spoke to said that there are a number of loopholes through which anti-social elements can sneak inside the airport and create havoc with life and properties. Nicholas Almeida, an activist, politician and union leader of airport workers, said: "The first and foremost loopholes are the huge sewage outlet pipes connecting the Mithi river. One can easily use them to get inside the airport premises," says Almeida.
23/03/16 Shahkar Abidi/Daily News & Analysis
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The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the fact that in February last year, a report prepared by Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that Mumbai and Juhu airports are among those that are vulnerable to terror attacks due to lack of alertness in intelligence agencies, inadequate equipment for security forces and poor contract management of security projects.
The airport is guarded by 4,000 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. CSIA, which handles over 32.22 million passengers and 2,60,666 aircraft movement annually, is among the busiest airports in Asia, and therefore, constantly remains on the radar of terrorists. The airport officials expect the passenger movement to touch around 40 million by the end of this year.
However, several airport insiders dna spoke to said that there are a number of loopholes through which anti-social elements can sneak inside the airport and create havoc with life and properties. Nicholas Almeida, an activist, politician and union leader of airport workers, said: "The first and foremost loopholes are the huge sewage outlet pipes connecting the Mithi river. One can easily use them to get inside the airport premises," says Almeida.
23/03/16 Shahkar Abidi/Daily News & Analysis
