Visitors Entry Passes At Bhubaneswar Airport Stopped; Security Beefed Up

Bhubaneswar: The Centre has sounded fresh alert for all airports in the country including Bhubaneswar after evaluating fresh inputs from the intelligence agencies.

Soon after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued strict instructions and guidelines to follow, the authorities at the Biju Patnaik International Airport and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) reviewed the security arrangements.

Among the heightened security measures put in place, the airport has stopped issuing visitors passes till further orders. Airport Director S C Hota confirmed this to Odisha Bytes. 

Airports and major installations and economic centres across the country have been wrapped with layered of security measures following the Pulwama terror attack last month. Early this week, intelligence inputs had suggested a possible hijack attempt by terror groups.

A few days back, Air India control centre in Mumbai received a phone call threatening to hijack its aircraft to Pakistan.

Air India control centre in Mumbai received a phone call threatening to hijack its aircraft to Pakistan.

The BCAS has directed “enhanced screening of passengers, including 100 per cent full pat-down search at pre-embarkation security checkpoint”, and enhanced random screening of “staff and visitors” at the main gate to the terminal building.

No vehicle should be parked in front of the terminal building and there should be “intensive checking of vehicles entering car parking area”, according to the alert notification.

Another measure is — strict on ground monitoring of regulatory guidelines for operations of non-conventional aerial platform like microlight aircraft, aero models, paragliders, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drones, power hang gliders and hot air balloons.

The BCAS has suggested enhanced screening of passengers, staff, and hand baggage and “strengthening of anti-terrorism/anti-sabotage measures and placement of quick response teams.”

On the other hand, security at Chandipur Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore district has been tightened.

As per reports, the security measures have also been beefed up at the Test Range, with advanced electronic fencing, coastal surveillance radars, infrared imagery to ensure foolproof security.