While the Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) is concerned about the illegal structures around the city airport and has filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court, a security audit by Airports Authority of India (AAI) has found that the new ATC at Vile Parle is a sitting duck. The ATC tower is operated by MIAL.
For one, the distance between the boundary wall around the tower and the parking area is far less than what is stipulated distance by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
The aviation safety regulator insists on a distance of at least 100 metres. But at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), it is only 10-15 metres from any side, the audit points out.
The audit also claims to have noticed a few motorbikes being parked at the ATC tower entrance, raising further questions about the security checks followed.
"The new tower can easily be targeted by planting explosives in vehicles around the parking area" the AAI warned MIAL recently.
Insiders say an attack on the ATC tower will have a cascading effect on air traffic the world over. MIAL did not respond to queries by dna.
AAI, which runs most airports in India, has a 26 per cent stake in MIAL, which is run by a consortium led by GVK. AAI also provides air traffic management services across the country.
But why didn't AAI or BCAS raise these questions when the ATC tower was under construction or even after it was formally opened? B S Tiwary, Regional Deputy Director, BCAS, was not available for comment. AAI sources said its opinion on these issues were never sought.
MIAL, in its reply, signed by GM and head of security Zon Edamuttath, to AAI, said as per the master plan, the car parking area around the ATC tower will be relocated in due course.
The AAI's counter-point is that security and safety will be at stake till then.
In its reply, MIAL said all cars coming towards the parking area have to pass through CISF check-posts and private security guards. CISF also keeps surveillance in and around the area.
The AAI, however, is not convinced. Its argument is that CISF check-posts are not provided with explosive-detection systems.
AAI further pulled up MIAL for trying to absolve itself of its duties by saying that they have not allotted any two-wheeler parking in front of the tower.
When MIAL told AAI that a mitigation plan to reduce the effects of a bomb blast, using unique reinforced cement concrete compound wall, has been put in place, the AAI had a question: what standards are being followed here and has the system been certified by a government agency?
MIAL answer is still awaited.
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