The Hindu Business Line : Can air travel security curbs work in India?

Commitment to aircraft security and strict enforcement is necessary. The exemption list has to pruned to the original five categories and everyone has to go through security, irrespective of their position.

The terrorists' plot to blow up aircraft has engendered an immediate security response in airports world over. The Indian authorities have responded too, but with certain relaxations. Can these work?

A determined terrorist cannot be stopped unless there is total commitment to security rules. Unfortunately, there are far too many loopholes in our system.

In the 1980s, when hijack-prevention measures were being taken worldwide, Indian authorities had issued a circular on pre-departure security at all airports. The circular, signed by the Minister of State in the Home Ministry, exempted only five categories of people from the security-check. They were: 1. The President and the Vice-president; 2. The Prime Minister; 3. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; 4. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and 5. The Governors.

Exemption List

But, today, the list includes several politicians and even their in-laws. More than half the commando force is on guard duty of those on "Z" category security, irrespective of their background. With this kind of a mile-long exemption list, can security be enforced in India?

The Government announces a ban on several items that can be carried as hand-luggage. But can any security person at the airports prevent a politician from carrying some of these items? The answer is No. It is a common sight at all airports to see the so called "people's representatives" being ushered through security by senior police officials at the airport. They may carry no hand-baggage; instead their bags are carried directly to the aircraft by ground personnel in total violation of security norms. The bags are placed inside the aircraft hat-racks even before the VIP passenger boards. Yet, the rules clearly state that hand-baggage must "be in your possession all the time."

Pathetic facilities

London airports have good infrastructure and several facilities. Our airports, in comparison, are pathetic. The circular requires passengers to check in 90 minutes before departure and go through security immediately. For international travel, it is three hours. Are there enough facilities inside the security hold to cater to the needs of all the passengers? There is not even standing area, leave aloneenough seats for the passengers in most airports, when flights get bunched up. Things are going to be more chaotic if these rules are strictly enforced.

The biggest sufferers are passengers of low-cost airlines. There is no in-flight service and many carry their own food and beverages. With these restrictions on hand-baggage, what is to happen to them? Take a flight from Bangalore to Delhi, or Chennai to Delhi. The flight time is 2 hours 45 minutes. When you take a check-in time of 90 minutes before departure, the flight time plus the minimum delay of 30 minutes for landing at Delhi due to the air traffic congestion, and waiting for all the baggage to arrive, the passenger of a low-cost carrier will spend a good 5-6 hours on just a small bottle of water and a few cookies. Is this human? If the flight is not a direct one, the time factor is even longer.

Workable solutions

There is no point in having knee-jerk reactions and short-term solutions. A workable system has to be in place, as in the UK. With construction work going on in all the major airports and the large areas teeming with casual labour force, it may not be very difficult to access an aircraft. All it takes is two grams of plastic explosive which looks no different from a piece of bubble gum, to blow up a 747. This was demonstrated a few years back during testing.

Commitment to aircraft security and strict enforcement is necessary. The exemption list has to be pruned to the original five categories and everyone has to go through security, irrespective of their position in the government or legislature.

After all, aren't we supposed to be a democracy where all are equal? Or, do we accept that some are more than equal?

(The author is an airline pilot with 19,000 hours experience and specialises in accident-prevention studies.)

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