Airport beefs up security, advises early flyers’ arrival

Kolkata: Domestic flyers must reach the airport at least two hours before departure, while international flyers should have at least three hours in hand. Kolkata airport authorities announced this as security at NSCBI Airport was significantly increased following a high alert on Wednesday due to developments along India's western border, which led to the closure of several airports in the region.With additional checks, including vehicle inspections, extra frisking, and a second layer of baggage checks at the boarding gate, passengers have been advised to report early to avoid being rushed. The Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) also increased the deployment of armed personnel inside the airport premises."A three-tier security cover has been put in place. While CISF will track the movement of passengers inside the terminal along with random frisking, the area outside the terminal is being jointly managed by CISF and local police," said a security officer.Armed jawans have been posted on watchtowers and on foot patrol throughout the day to maintain strict vigilance. Different sets of Quick Response Teams of local police and CISF personnel have been deployed outside the terminal building as well. The force's strength increased from 1,400 to 1,600.The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the regulatory body for ensuring the safety of airports and passenger flights, held an emergency security meeting at the airport on Thursday to review the situation and explore ways to further strengthen measures."Security measures that are usually enforced during Republic Day and Independence Day were rolled out on Wednesday, including checks of vehicles entering the airport, deployment of plainclothes personnel to scan and profile passengers on the move, more frequent rounds of the integrated terminal with sniffer dogs, and a second layer of baggage checks at boarding gates to ensure there is no slip-up," the security officer said.Kolkata airport has always been categorised as sensitive due to the presence of three international borders around Bengal. After the Sheikh Hasina govt was overthrown in Bangladesh, security agencies became even more cautious."Almost all the measures are anti-hijacking in nature. The aim is to identify any potential threats and isolate them. Though Kolkata airport is currently far removed from the conflict zone, we are on alert," said an airport official.Though Kolkata was a strategic airport during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, BCAS and Kolkata airport officials realised during the meeting on Thursday that there is no war-specific SOP in place. All the SOPs at the airport relate to flight emergency situations, including accidents and hijackings."We worked out a few details like emergency evacuation of the terminal in case of an attack. Passengers and staff can take cover in the terminal basement, the underground car park, or the metro station and tunnels at the airport. We are also planning to create an SOP for an emergency situation such as this," the official added.