Biju Patnaik International Airport Authorities Sound Alarm Over Parking Area Security
Authorities at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar have raised serious concerns regarding the security and safety of passengers, specifically highlighting rampant antisocial activities occurring in the airport's parking areas. In a formal communication, airport director Prasanna Pradhan has drawn the attention of Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh to these pressing issues.
Formal Letter to Police Commissioner
Airport director Prasanna Pradhan penned a detailed letter to Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, marking copies to the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP). The letter urgently requests necessary directions to the concerned police station and patrolling teams to intensify surveillance and address the deteriorating situation.
"This is to bring to your notice that BPIA is a place requiring stringent security measures," the letter states. "The city-side ambience of the airport creates the first impression for passengers coming to the state, and therefore it must maintain the highest standard of safety, orderliness and sanctity."
Specific Concerns Raised
The letter outlines multiple specific concerns that have been observed at the airport:
- Antisocial elements have turned the city-side area and parking zones into their dens, engaging in unlawful activities.
- There is a prevalent practice of drinking alcohol and smoking ganja (cannabis) in the parking areas, with empty bottles and related litter frequently found.
- Unruly behavior by autorickshaw and cab operators has been reported, often exacerbated by their association with antisocial groups.
- Certain groups have attempted unauthorized control of parking management, further complicating security efforts.
"But it is extremely pitiable that, of late, the airport witnessed ruckus scenes. Antisocial elements join cab and auto operators to make matters worse," the letter reads, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Airport Layout and Vulnerable Areas
The Biju Patnaik International Airport encompasses a sprawling 65-acre area outside its operational and terminal buildings. Of this, approximately 12-15 acres are utilized for daily activities including parking, passageways, vehicular movement, the Air Traffic Control tower, and administrative buildings.
Officials have identified specific vulnerable spots within this layout:
- The area in front of the old domestic terminal, now serving as the international terminal, has multiple layers of parking space designated for staff and other members. This location has reportedly been used by mischievous elements to create nuisances and consume alcohol.
- The remaining areas contain staff quarters, electrical and solar power installations, and facilities for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Security Measures and Limitations
Airport director Prasanna Pradhan clarified the existing security framework and its limitations in addressing these external threats. "We have robust security for our internal operations, passenger frisking and surveillance of suspicious elements, which are carried out routinely by the CISF," he stated. "But we don't have control over the area outside."
This statement underscores the critical need for enhanced police intervention in the airport's peripheral zones, which fall outside the direct jurisdiction of airport security forces.
The letter serves as a formal appeal to law enforcement agencies to bolster their presence and monitoring in these vulnerable parking areas, ensuring that Bhubaneswar's international gateway maintains the security standards expected of such critical infrastructure.
