Mumbai: Passengers and vehicles going into Mumbai airport premises are being thoroughly checked following the threat of terrorists to blow up an airport or an airline on December 6.

Central industrial security force (CISF) personnel manned the airport from bunkers set up outside the gates. "Around 100 guards are working in 12-hour shifts on the city side of both the Sahar and Santa Cruz terminals," said a Mumbai international airport limited (MIAL) official on condition of anonymity.

Besides, quick reaction teams (QRTs) have been posted at both the terminals. A QRT consists of a team of one sub-inspector and three constables in a patrolling van with a light machine gun (LMG) mounted on it. The van also makes round of the city side of the area every 30 minutes.

An emergency party consisting of five people is also patrolling the apron area in shifts.
Even drivers, ground handling staff and caterers have been thoroughly checked. "Nobody is allowed to enter without a bureau of civil aviation security (BCAS) pass and we have stopped issuing visitors passes," said the MIAL official.

Based on BCAS recommendation, CISF personnel have been deployed on watch towers around the perimetre walls of the airport which are surrounded by shanties. BCAS has also asked the drivers of coaches which ferry passengers between the terminal and the aircraft to lock them from inside and to open it before the designated point.

CISF senior commandant Sanjay Prakash said, "The airport is on high alert and we are prepared."
Source : DNA