Airport Security Check: Soon, You Won't Have To Take Out Electronic Devices From Hand Baggage For Scanning

Deployment of Radiological Detection Equipment (RDE) at airports is also planned in a phased manner.

A passenger repacks a bag while checking in for flight.

Source : File Photo/AFP

New Delhi: Soon passengers will not be required to remove electronic devices from their hand luggage before going through the scanner, reported news agency PTI. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), an organisation that monitors aviation security, has suggested that airports install computer tomography-based scanners. At the moment, hand baggage scanners provide a two-dimensional view of the items inside.

On Wednesday, Jaideep Prasad, Joint Director General of BCAS, said that the agency has proposed installing computer tomography-based scanners at airports that will provide a three-dimensional view of handbag items.

He stated to PTI, "With such scanners, passengers will not be required to take out their electronic devices from hand baggage before going through the scanner."

The installation of such scanners is also anticipated to expedite the airport security check-in process.

The specifics of the recommendation could not be determined immediately.

At various airports, particularly the national capital airport, there have been complaints in recent weeks about congestion and extended waiting times. The congestion has decreased as a result of various measures taken by the authorities. The civil aviation ministry oversees BCAS.

The ministry informed the Lok Sabha earlier this month that enhancing airport safety and security is an ongoing process that is periodically reviewed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and BCAS, in consultation with other concerned agencies and stakeholders, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and airport operators, depending on perceptions of threats.

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Computer Tomography Explosive Detection Systems (CT-EDS) and Dual Generator X-BIS machines are among the technologies that have been used and are being considered for use at sensitive airports, as stated by the civil aviation ministry.

"Direction has been issued for Minimum Technical specification for Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS). It has been installed at Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore airports... The Full Body Scanner at all airports is planned in a phased manner with all hypersensitive and sensitive airports on priority basis," Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh told Lok Sabha on December 8.

Deployment of Radiological Detection Equipment (RDE) at airports is also planned in a phased manner.

India's domestic air traffic has surpassed that of the pre-pandemic era, reaching over 4 lakh passengers, making it one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets.

(With PTI Inputs)