Union home secretary reviews Delhi airport infrastructure issues

New Delhi: Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Monday reviewed the steps taken to revamp infrastructure at Delhi's IGI airport which included ramping up capacities, close monitoring and revised scheduling of air slots and de-cluttering of immigration counters.

Top officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Airports Authority of India (AAI), Bureau of Immigration, Delhi Police, DIAL-GMR and security agencies attended the meeting.

'Steady ramping up of capacities had taken place since the last review meeting'

"The meeting was informed that a steady ramping up of capacities had taken place since the last review meeting held on December 15, 2022 and a number of important steps have been taken," said an official statement.

It was also informed that close monitoring and revised scheduling of air slots reduced incidents of bunching of flights and additional counters have been made functional along with posting of adequate manpower to facilitate quicker immigration.

No need to take out electronic devices from hand baggage for scanning at airports: BCAS

'Baggage scanners have been increased by doubling up the capacity in domestic bay'

"Baggage scanners have been increased by doubling up the capacity in domestic bay, immigration counter area has been de-cluttered, and the Delhi Police has increased deployment for traffic lane management," said the statement.

It was also informed that on the basis of a stakeholder committee evaluation, the DIAL-GMR has revised a modern layout plan for the immigration bay. This is likely to be completed in three months without causing any disruptions in the present immigration clearance time. The proposal includes setting up of documentation and biometrics booths in walkways to avoid cluttering in the immigration bay.

The home secretary assured to coordinate and requested the stakeholders to maintain the pace in streamlining the departure and arrivals in Delhi airports.

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