IGI airport to get body scanner

Tribune News Service

The IGI airport will soon have a full body scanner. It is a part of the pending efforts to upgrade security at the airport that records 60,000 out-bound travellers a day.

The machine, which produces an X-ray image of a person, is a standard security device in many airports worldwide. It has attracted criticism because people are uncomfortable with the full-body image it produces.

In the fray, 60 CISF personnel training have been started.

The scanners will be installed at Terminal 1 for trial from January 1, 2017.

It is to be noted that IGI will be the first airport in the country where complete body scanning facility will be available.

According to airport officials, “As the security of IGI airport is a big challenge, we had bought the scanners nearly six years back from a German company. But due to health reasons and apprehension of complete body exposure of the passengers, the decision was pending. After a few general alterations and on receiving green signal from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the decision has been taken.”

According to the manufacturing company, radiation from the machine is less harmful and at the same time, instead of the real exposure of passenger’s body, only graphic will be exhibited.