CISF wants more staff and cameras for city airport

Nagpur: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is learnt to have sent a proposal to Mihan India Ltd (MIL) asking for 72 additional personnel to strengthen security at city airport. These personnel will be distributed over three shifts. The move is following heightened threat perception from terror outfits like Islamic States (IS) and Naxals. The demand of CISF has been already ratified by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security but has been stuck with MIL for want of funds. Sources in airport administration claimed that apart from additional manpower CISF had also made a request for 49 more closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the airport. At present, there are around 50 CCTV cameras. CISF, which already has four sniffer dogs, has asked for two more for their bomb detection and disposal unit.
At present, CISF has around 250 personnel deployed at the airport in three shifts. It is learnt that deployment in night shift is less, leaving certain gaps in security cover. CISF top brass is keen to bring the strength of the night shift at par with the other two shifts.
While CISF’s other demands are being processed, it is learnt that MIL is required to deposit 75 lakhs with ministry of home affairs (MHA) for them to release the additional manpower. “MIL is already running an annual deficit of around 7 crore in operating the airport. It would be a bit difficult to spend another 75 lakh for additional manpower immediately,” said a highly placed source.
The passenger safety fund (PSF) in Nagpur is much less that did not cover the financial need, the source said. “MIL has already spent substantial funds in securing the premises and free it from animal and other disturbances,” he said.
It is learnt that CISF had been repeatedly reminding MIL of its requirements since the last few months. Senior CISF officials had to supervise the security round-the-clock during the heightened threat period between January 23 and January 27 against the backdrop of Pathankot attack. “Now it is usually an alert period for airport round-the-year with the intensity fluctuating,” said a CISF official.