Friday, February 4 2005 15:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Observing that Indian airports have been facing terrorist threats, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel yesterday (Feb 03, 2005) hailed the former NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government for handing over their security to CISF (Central Industrial Security Force).

"The issue of security (to airports) is getting more complex and the problems we are facing are increasing in terms of tactics and sophistication of those who want to create trouble," he said at a function of CISF for lucky draw on its 'Passenger feedback scheme' in New Delhi.

Pointing to the September 9, 2001 terror strikes in the US and similar attacks in India, Patel said, "It was a good decision of the then Government to induct more specialised force to man airport security five years ago."

The Minister said that the CISF, which faced certain shortcomings initially, had been able to overcome and emerge as a "much more cohesive and vibrant" force to protect the airport properties.

Many airports are already "overflowing" with travelers and are bound to get busier in the future, he said, emphasising the need for "more efficient, speedy and secure clearance" of passengers at the airports to keep abreast with the growing needs.

Appreciating the manner in which the work is being handled at airports currently, Patel drew a comparison with the scene at US airports and said, "There you can see chaos with huge queues and thousands waiting for their turn to getting security checked."

He attributed this efficiency of Indian system to the fact that the threat from terrorism had been realised here much earlier than America.