Four months after 12 hotels of Aerocity — a hospitality project near the Indira Gandhi International Airport that is awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation — submitted their security plans to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), airport sources said that JW Marriott was given a security clearance with a few recommendations before opening for service. The final decision for the clearance of the project will be taken at the Cabinet Secretariat.
Aerocity, a 43-acre project, was initiated six years ago by the Central government. The project was to be ready before the 2010 Commonwealth Games. However, the Delhi Police first raised an objection to the construction of the project after glaring security issues were identified, including the project’s proximity to the runway. Other security agencies also raised an objection, saying that the project was a security threat to the runway.
However, sources said a few days ago, the BCAS cleared the security plan for the Marriott hotel, with a few exceptions. These include that some of the office spaces facing the runway be closed and the windows of rooms facing the runway should be bulletproof. A Ministry official, confirming the clearance said, “Clearance has been given to Marriott hotel, which is the first hotel to get the clearance. There are a few recommendations, which the hotel has been asked to comply with.” The official said: “There are two issues; one related to the hotel and the other to the complex. While the hotels have to get their own security plans cleared; the complex’s security plan is still pending. The BCAS has made recommendations like access control and bulletproof windows. Subsequently, clearances will be given, if the hotels comply with the same.”
