Real-time trials of full-body scanner begin at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 2 today

National

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Infrastructure Limited-led consortium, has started the trials of the full-body scanner today at Terminal 2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. This is in line with the directive of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

A full-body scanner is a device that detects objects, without making physical contact or breaching the privacy of passengers. Unlike metal detectors, full-body scanners can detect non-metal objects, which are hard to detect with the conventional door frame metal detector (DFMD).

DIAL has installed a full-body scanner at the security check area for trials. The trials would be conducted on a real-time basis i.e. passengers would have to pass through it during their security check before moving to the security hold area.

The real-time trials would be carried out for a period of 45 to 60 days. During this period, feedback of all the stakeholders – the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Central Industrial Security, The Airport Security Force (CISF), the airport operator DIAL, and passengers -would be taken, examined, and evaluated.
Upon completion of trials, the findings would be shared with regulatory bodies for evaluation and
the further course of action would be decided accordingly.

The new advanced scanner installed at Delhi Airport is a Millimeter-Wave based scanner, which was
found to be accurate and has medical approvals regarding health risks, and completely answers
privacy issues. By scanning passengers at the airport, one can reveal anything hidden beneath their
clothes and thus reduce the number of random pat-downs and strip searches. This saves personnel
from an uncomfortable situation and speeds up security checks.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO-DIAL, Mr. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said, “Safety and security of civil
aviation is a major concern for all. As an airport operator, DIAL has been constantly working to
make the process smooth for the passengers without compromising security and safety. The CISF
has been doing a tremendous job. Now, we have deployed one of the advanced full-body scanners
at the airport. It takes care of passengers’ privacy during security checks and hardly has any impact
on their health. After successful completion of trials, and evaluation of results, DIAL would install
such scanner as per BCAS directive.”

The door-frame metal detectors would remain in place for special category passengers like those
who are wheelchair-bound or those who cannot physically pass through the full-body scanners.