In the wake of the Istanbul terror attack, IGI Airport has been put on high alert. The perimeter intrusion detection system (PIDS), already installed at the Delhi airport, is now fully activated and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), will soon take charge of it. PIDS is a multi-layer security system that was developed four years ago in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). It has around 200 CCTV cameras to capture movement along the perimeter. The system also comprises radars, more than 35 watchtowers and a patrol track along the 25km perimeter of the airport.
According to CISF officers, the system sometimes develops a snag – it generates false alarms forcing the security agency to mobilise quick reaction teams (QRTs). “A drill has to be carried out every time to ensure that the perimeter is secured. The airport is a sensitive place and we can’t compromise on public safety,” said a CISF officer.
The problem is being rectified following a directive of the BCAS. The airport operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), said that whatever problems were reported initially had been addressed. “The system initially had some teething problems, which were duly addressed. The problem of excessive alarms was fixed and the system got stabilised,” a DIAL spokesperson said. The airport operator has a dedicated IT team to manage the Security Operations Control Centre (SOCC) on a 24×7 basis.
According to DIAL, the lighting on the perimeter too is in conformity with the lux (luminosity) levels prescribed by BCAS. “A recent BCAS report confirms that there is no deficiency in the perimeter lighting at the airport. DIAL has, in fact, replaced all perimeter lights with LEDs to achieve greater lux levels,” the DIAL spokesperson added.
