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No stamps for screened hand baggage; passengers walk in undetected

improper checks: Checked baggage are not marked at the Mumbai airport. representation pic

In the wake of a looming terror threat at Mumbai's airports, one would expect security agencies to tighten safety measures. However, even a fortnight after the 26/11 terror attacks, glaring security lapses continue to question the gravity of the entire security exercise.

Frequent fliers have pointed out that not much has changed in the aftermath of the attack. "After the hand baggage is put through the X-ray scanner, there is no stamp or seal to mark that the bag is secured," said Milan Zatakia, CEO of aviation sector major Millennium Aero Dynamics.

Also, Sudhakar Reddy, president of the Air Passengers Association of India, confirmed that several fliers had complained that their photo-ID proof was not verified. "It makes no sense in asking passengers to report early for extra checks because some passengers still walk in without even looking at the scanner," he said.

A Jet Airways staffer said, "We have a two-tier security check one as the boarding pass is issued, and the second before passengers board the  coach." A few domestic airlines have an added verification at the ladder point near the aircraft door. The Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson said, "We are fully geared to tackle the situation as advised by the authorities. But we can't discuss security-related issues in detail."

Report early
Both Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways websites state that stamping of boarding passes issued to web-check in passengers is now compulsory.
Thus, tele and web check-in passengers have to reach the airport early. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has asked all airport coaches to be locked while moving between the terminal building and the aircraft.  

Security lapses
Checking of photo-identification, which is mandatory, is not being done
No stamp affixed on hand baggage to indicate that it has passed through all checks
Despite a mandatory perimeter wall guarding order, the Mumbai airport wall has very few guarding posts 
Barbed wire fencing is also missing at most places due to the modernisation activity 
Airport modernisation has also rendered several CCTV cameras useless