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May 2007

Govt rules out breach of airport security

     New Delhi: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) today ruled out a security breach at the cargo complex of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). "Security of the IGI cargo complex is the responsibility of the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). For the cargo complex, DIAL issues a pass for entry only into the cargo complex building, and these passes do not facilitate entry into the operational area of the airport," the Civil Aviation Ministry said. The statement came after the incident was broadcast by a private news channel. The channel reportedly showed how easy it was to become a cargo complex employee. According to a ministry release, cargo complex is completely segregated from the operational area of the airport by means of a 12 feet high steel chain along the boundary. There is only one exit and one entry gate along this boundary, which is guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Access from the cargo complex to the operational area is effectively controlled by the CISF, the release further added. "In this case, the person who obtained employment and a DIAL pass as a loader does not seem to have gone beyond the chain link into the operational and vulnerable area of the airport and was shown to be within the cargo complex till where his entry was restricted," it added. The Ministry also says that the current incident is more a case of malpractice involved in getting a job as a loader through a cargo complex employee, rather than a case of a security breach, and appropriate authorities will look into it.
-May 2, 2007