Pune: The Pune airport is on high alert after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued a circular directing authorities to curb the movement of unauthorised arms, contraband goods and cash at airports, in the wake of the announcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the ensuing general elections.
The Pune airport security is looked after by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). According to the CISF officials, apart from strengthening security at commercial airports, BCAS has also directed the airport authorities to check flights from uncontrolled, remote and unserved private and public airstrips, helipads and waterdromes.
BCAS has given specific instructions to be followed by the airport authorities and other government officials. Officers of BCAS will be conducting surprise inspections of these airports to check compliance of these instructions.
The BCAS has also directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) to inform the State police, BCAS and Income Tax Department about such flights in advance.
ATC has been specifically directed to share records of the travel plan of chartered aircraft or helicopters half an hour in advance to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State and the DEO of the district in which the airport is located.
As per the direction of the Election Commission, Director General of Police (DGPs) of States have been ordered to deploy police units to check these flights during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
The operators of all private aircraft or helicopters have been asked to declare the contents of the baggage and suitcases carried on these flights to CEO of the states, DEOs of the districts, state police and IT Department.
To keep strict vigil over movement of cash through all airports, the Income Tax Department and CISF have been extended with all requisite cooperation for checking and surveillance activities.
