Airport security doesn’t come cheap

New Delhi: The home ministry says, after trains and railways stations, airports could be next in the firing line.

This has prompted the government to come out with a plan to improve security at all airports.

The government is going in for a security overhaul of all airports. This could start with the identification tags worn by the staff.

Currently all staff have identity tags issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

These could be replaced by biometric scans, which use finger prints or eye scans for identification. Surveillance equipments will also be increased at all airports

Explosive detection devices are being installed, starting with the more important airports.

"Arrangement at all airports will be in place soon," says Union Home Secretary V K Duggal.

But the task of securing the airports comes at a price. And the government is contemplating user charges, which passengers will have to pay.

"We will implement it soon," says Aviation minister Praful Patel.

For now, the aviation ministry is restricting the number of people going inside airports, to prevent overcrowding.

Security measures have been toughened

As a result of the security measures being implemented at the Delhi airport, many flights from the capital are delayed.

Security agencies have barred the entry of visitors into the airport. Travellers' luggages are being randomly checked. Passengers have advised to report early for their flights.

Extra battalions of the Central Industrial Security Force are deployed at all major airports in the country.

Quick response commando teams have also been summoned. Bomb detection devices are also installed at all airports.