Mysore airport gets exclusive security force

79-strong contingent sanctioned; specially trained in surveillance

After two-years full-fledged operation, the Mysore airport at Mandakalli on the Mysore-Nanjangud road, has finally got an exclusive security force.

A total of 44 police personnel, in different cadres have been deployed at the airport from September, Police Commissioner M A Saleem told Deccan Herald. The force will work in tandem with the City Armed Reserve (CAR) policemen, already posted on airport duty.

The men have been trained in airport security from a dedicated team of experts of the Bureau of Civil Aviation, Hyderabad. In addition, the operator (SpiceJet) has also conducted five-day training classes. The force has been entrusted with the task of keeping a tab on the arrival and exit of travellers. It will also carry out individual profiling by keeping an eye on passengers in the lounge. 

The force has also been briefed on the existing contingency plan, which calls for several departments to work together to mitigate emergencies. As part of the plan, the force will alert airport authorities within the precincts, dispatch information outside, summon bomb-disposal squads, inform nearby hospitals in case of medical emergencies and the fire brigade, if necessary, and communicate with the top authorities of the district.

 Though a 79-member strong contingent of policemen has been sanctioned for the airport, not all are currently deployed there. While 44 are deputed at the airport — including one inspector, 11 sub-inspectors including two female officers, two ASIs, four head constables, five women police and 22 policemen are on duty at the airport — as per the requirement, the rest have been deputed to different stations in the City to gain hands-on experience on various issues relevant to policing.

With the dedicated force taking over security of the airport, the men drawn from various police stations in the city for airport duty, have now been relieved and sent back to their respective police stations.

CCTV cameras

It has also been decided to install 25 close-circuit TV cameras both inside and outside the airport. A survey has been conducted at the airport to identify the porous points where technology can be relied upon to maintain security.

After SpiceJet resumed commercial operations at the airport in January — albeit on alternate days from Monday to Friday — the average passenger traffic accounts for around 40 to 50 travellers. The flight arrives at 1.10 pm and departs at 1.30 pm connecting Mysore, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.