After US airline terror bid, India sounds security alert

New Delhi: The abortive terror plot on board a Detroit-bound American airliner has set the alarm bells ringing not just for security experts in the West but also in India.

India's Cabinet Committee on Security has decided to heighten checks at airports across India. All this means more  checks for passengers.

The failed terror plot by a Nigerian national to blow up the North-West Airliner plane has worried aviation authorities the world over.

The US President plans to send marshals for American airlines operating anywhere in the world.

And in India the government has issued an alert asking airlines to step up frisking of passengers and intensive screening of baggage.

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Even though India may have to wait for body scanners to be installed, passengers will now be frisked just before boarding the flight.

The alert issued after the Cabinet reviewed airport security and the Home Ministry wanted additional steps taken to counter terror threats.

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Aviation ministry officials confirmed to NDTV that they are working on a new set of security proposal that can meet newer challenges and terror attacks.

Better airport security

• Use of state-of-the-art screening equipment
• CISF already using hi-tech explosive detection devices
• Aviation Security Force to gradually replace CISF
• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to have more people
  

Experts are identifying hi-tech screening equipment that are suited for Indian airports but the CISF at several sensitive Indian airports are already using handheld hi-tech explosive detection devices.

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The Civil Aviation ministry is also in the process of setting up a dedicated Aviation Security Force that will gradually replace the CISF.

And for better supervision of security, the aviation ministry plans to hire more people for the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

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Experts say newer aviation threats mean longer wait for passengers at airports.

"Once people realise that additional security is for their safety, they should not have a problem," said Kanu Gohain, former Director General of Civil Aviation.

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So as authorities work a new security drill, passengers are advised to report early.