Full body scan at IGIA to be a reality soon

10 Mar 10

India may begin scanner trials to screen passengers at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) at New Delhi in April-May, making full-body scan a reality at Indian airports. After Delhi, Mumbai could be the next airport to get these scanners.

According to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, "The government is planning to introduce full body scanners at airports in view of recent security threats. Security is a major concern for aviation worldwide and more particularly in India. With the kind of problems in the region, we have to be extra particular."

"Security upgradation is an ongoing process. We have adequate security in place but it can be made more relevant with latest technology,” he said.

Full body scanners are capable of scanning the entire body for concealed weapons, bomb-making material and also any other stuff carried on a flier. This would be in addition to metal-detectors and baggage X-ray machines at the security point on way into the departure lounge. Current security checks at airports include searches, doorframe metal detectors and hand-held device scans.

Patel said the procedures would conform to all ethical norms. “The exercise will be done in a manner that is acceptable and keeping with the best moral and integrity standards and at par with international safety and security norms,” he said.

"The ministry is considering installing body scanners at IGI on a trial basis once the new terminal is commissioned," aviation minister Praful Patel told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Patel said the government is yet to finalize the type of technology to be deployed as the proposal is still in initial stages. "Appropriate safeguards and certification for privacy and health issues will be incorporated," he said.

London Heathrow deployed body scanners soon after a Nigerian national managed to board a Detroit-bound aircraft from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport with explosives strapped on him last December.

Get the latest stories first with info4security's newsletters: Click to signup

Post and bookmark this story at the following sites:

What is this?

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit	Google	Newsvine