Dedicated BDDS for Patna airport likely by next yr

Patna: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed at LokNayakJayprakashNarayan International Airport here might get a dedicated bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) to deal with any threat. At present, the CISF has a bomb detection squad of four trained dogs for the airport. This information was given by Patna airport’s CISF commandant Dharmaveer Yadav on the occasion of a full-scale mock drill for bomb detection and disposal on Wednesday.
Stating that the Union government is planning to arm the airport with a dedicated BDDS, he said, “This would decrease the dependency of CISF on the local administration to a great extent. Hypersensitive and some international airports in the country have already such dedicated teams. We expect that the BDDS will be deployed sometime next year.”
“During the 40-minute drill, which started at 4.40pm, the airport operated two flights. Around 200 passengers were present at the terminal building,” the commandant said. The CISF, at its own level, performs such drills once in every two months.
During the mock drill, suspicious activities were spotted by the CISF personnel on CCTV, after which a bomb detection squad found an explosive device inside the arrival hall. The local administration’s BDDS later defused the bomb. A mock fire evacuation drill was also performed.
Yadav said according to real-time procedure, City SP (Central) Chandan Kushwaha, SP (security) Deepak Barnwal and a contingent of armed personnel from the local administration reached the spot.
“Patna airport falls under sensitive category and we are well-equipped according to the necessity, but the arrangements would be enhanced,” said the CISF commandant, adding at least 14 well-trained personnel would be in the BDDS after deployment. He said at present, the airport houses two explosive trace detector machines along with a dog squad.
Airport director Rajender Singh Lahauria said at present, there is lack of space to house a BDDS at the airport. The issue would be solved as soon as a new terminal building is constructed.
He said mock drills are to be performed at least once in a year under the requirements of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. “Last year, we had performed a successful full-scale aircraft accident mock drill.” The airport has category seven (CAT-VII) firefighting equipment. He said out of the three crash tenders available with the airport, two are most-advanced fire tenders, being used across the globe.