Full body scanner adds to T3 security cover

NEW DELHI: If you are planning to catch a flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport, be prepared to walk through a new set of security protocols. All flyers will now be required to step into a

full body

scanner installed at the Security Hold Area of Terminal 3 to complete check-in.

The equipment was introduced at the terminal last week after CISF personnel deputed for operating it completed their training.

For now, frisking has not been completely done away with. “Flyers will have to undergo frisking by CISF even after going through the machine as the security agency is still testing its reliability. Manual checking will be done away within a month if the machine gives positive results,” said an officer.

On the first day of installation, more than 450 passengers walked through the scanner at

T3

. However, senior CISF officers said that flyers were initially reluctant to walk through it owing to many controversies surrounding the machine.

“Our men are dealing with such flyers patiently. In many cases, we had to educate them about the technology and the myths surrounding its usage. We got inside the scanner to demonstrate and convince the passengers about its safe usage and benefits,” said an officer.

Many people who had travelled to airports abroad knew about the machine. “It takes just a few seconds to scan a flyer. So far, all passengers have been cooperative,” the officer added.

Addressing the privacy concerns of passengers, CISF deputy commandant and PRO Manjit Singh said, “The scanner doesn’t give out the exact body contours and puts out a generic mannequin figure showing only metallic and non-metallic objects on an individual’s body,” he said.

“The scanner has an automatic target detection software that processes digital scan data to determine if the individual can be cleared through the checkpoint. If a potential threat is detected, an outline highlighting the areas of concern is displayed over a mannequin figure on the control panel. Security personnel then assess the situation as required,” Singh said.

Officers added the scanner detects a broad range of targets — from liquid gels to plastic, ceramic items, cutters, recording devices to explosives in powder form. “The machine will be introduced at other terminals after observing its efficiency for a month,” the officer said.