Private security guards deployed in airports work only in non-core areas under the control of CISF - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
August 29, 2022
A Facebook post is being widely shared claiming that the since airports are allowed to deploy private security guards, Adani group will recruit private security guards at all airports run by them. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Airports allowed to deploy private security guards. Adani group will now recruit personal security guards at all their airports.
Fact: The Ministry of Civil Aviation allowed the private security personnel to handle only the five non-core jobs in airports like segregating passengers at airport gates, queue management at boarding counters, baggage control, cargo area and security of visitor’s gallery. But the core security functions such as anti-hijack measures, airport perimeter protection will continue to be handled by CISF. Also, the private security personnel deployed in these non-core areas will be under the command and control of CISF. The airport operator doesn’t exercise any control over them. CISF is also responsible for the training of these private security personnel. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING
We searched the internet with relevant keywords and came across articles published by Times of India, Economic Times and Business Standard in August 2022.
According to these reports, Indian airports, including those in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru have appointed private security personnel to handle non-core jobs following a recent mandate from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Five non-core security functions which include segregating passengers at airport gates, queue management at boarding counters, baggage control, cargo area and security of visitor’s gallery have to be manned by private security agencies. Core security functions such as anti-hijack measures, airport perimeter protection will continue to be handled by CISF.
The private security personnel deployed in these non-core areas will be under the command and control of CISF. The airport operator doesn’t exercise any control over them. CISF is also responsible for the training of these private security personnel. As per reports, deploying private security for non-core tasks allows CISF to concentrate on core tasks and ensures better security at airports. Airport authority of India (AAI) run government airports too are in the process of deployment of the private security agencies.
Currently, out of 118 operational airports, 64 are manned by CISF’s Aviation Security Group. The rest are with state police or Indian reserve Battalions. The CISF has also removed over 1,100 personnel from airports. Around 3,000 CISF posts at airports have been abolished following this exercise. At present, CISF has around 29,000 personnel deployed at airports. Adani-owned Ahmedabad and Guwahati airports have deployed around 100 private security personnel to man the non-core areas. Similarly, GMR-owned Delhi Airport has also started deploying them in areas like cargo terminal, managing queue at Terminal 1 and 2. Also, we found the interview of Chief Airport officer of Guwahati airport(LGBI), Mr. Utpal Baruah talking about the recent guidelines issued by the Civil aviation Ministry to deploy 45 private security guards at non-core areas in Adani group-Guwahati airport.
For a copy of the official circular related to this change, we reached out to Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and awaiting their response. This article will be updated when the required information is available.
To sum it up, private security personnel are deployed in five non-core jobs in airports. CISF will continue to work in the core-areas. Also, the airport operator doesn’t exercise any control over these private personnel.