TO SAVE time of passengers at airports during security check-in, the Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to discuss with the Ministry of Civil Aviation for installing scanners based on computed tomography – an imaging procedure using special x-ray equipment – at the airports so that passengers do not have to take out electronic items from their hand baggage.
“The Committee notes that passenger footfall in airports has increased over the years. During security check-in, the passengers are required to take out laptops, tabs and other electronic devices from their baggage which causes inconvenience and wastage of time,” said the panel Standing Committee on Demands for Grants relating to the MHA in its report submitted in Parliament on March 17.
“The Committee, therefore, recommends that the MHA may take up the matter with the Civil Aviation for installing scanners based on Computed Tomography at the airports which will eliminate the need for air passengers to take out electronic items from their hand baggage. This will speed up the security procedure and help in hassle-free check-in of the passengers at the airports,” the report said.
In the report, the House panel headed by BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Brij Lal also mentioned that there is a delay in the supply of equipment to CISF, which is in charge of airport security, by the airport operators.
“The Committee was informed that the equipment are provided to CISF by the airport operators and it was also informed that the technology is getting updated day by day and, therefore, that demand for new equipment is being placed by CISF with the airport operators to keep pace with the technological advancement. However, there are delays/gaps in the supply of equipment by the airport operators,” stated the report.