No hand baggage stamping at seven airports from April 1 (Lead)

New Delhi March 30 (IANS) The CISF has decided to do away with stamping of hand baggage tags at seven major airports in the country from April 1.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has chosen airports at Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Bengaluru Hyderabad Cochin and Ahmedabad for the new system to upgrade the security system for the convenience of passengers.

The present system of stamping of hand baggage tags at pre-embarkation security check points for these seven airports shall be dispensed with from April 1 2017 CISF Director General O.P. Singh said.

The CISF chief said the step would enhance the passenger experience and provide hassle-free security environment at airports without compromising with the security requirements.

Singh said the paramilitary force responsible for the security of 59 airports across India had taken appropriate measures to upgrade the security system by adopting this new system for the convenience of passengers.

The new system will speed up the security check procedure and will give more time to the CISF personnel for checking of suspected baggage he added.

In 2016 the Civil Aviation Ministry had ordered the CISF to make Delhi Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad and Bangalore airports free from stamping on hand baggage tags on a pilot basis and then to expand it to other airports based on its success.

In its order the ministry had also mentioned that the practice will save passengers time while boarding and will not be a security hassle in any manner.

The CISF then implemented it on trial basis for a week.

In India all cabin baggage must carry a tag which is stamped by security personnel once the baggage passes through the security scanner. This practice is not followed in the United States and European countries.

--IANS
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